Major changes to Castlerea traffic scheme sought

Roscommon Municipal District councillors have called for major changes to a new Castlerea traffic safety scheme, claiming that the current plan will lead to a substantial loss of existing car-parking spaces in the town and have a detrimental impact on local businesses and residents.

The Part 8 project was before councillors for final approval at a recent meeting of Roscommon Municipal District.

The traffic scheme proposals involve the installation of two signal-controlled traffic lights at the Main Street/St. Patrick Street junction – known locally as Delaney’s corner - and the Main Street/Boyle Road (R361) junction.

The plans also involved the upgrade of existing pedestrian crossings on Main Street and St. Patrick Street, and the installation of two new pedestrian crossings on Main Street. The council believe that the measures will enable the two main junctions in the town to operate more efficiently, make the town safer for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, and slow down vehicles going through the town.

The councillors’ concerns over the loss of parking spaces was echoed by the majority of the 43 submissions made by local business and residents during the public consultation process.

At Monday’s Municipal District meeting, councillors welcomed the safety measures in principle but pointed to the lack of any alternatives being offered to replace lost spaces.

After a lengthy meeting, members proposed substantial amendments to the measures. The changes proposed will see the retention of up to 20 car-parking spaces on Main Street and Patrick Street which would have to make way under the current scheme.

Their amended proposals supported the traffic lights system at both junctions. However, they want no loss of parking spaces on Main Street, the existing filter lane at the ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ junction to be retained, and that the three one-hour parking spaces will still remain on St. Patrick Street.

Councillors also agreed with the new pedestrian crossings under the scheme but have requested that the existing one beside the former post office be retained in its current format. They have also called on the council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to invest in additional off-street parking into the future.

The amended scheme will now go back to the TII for consideration.