Residents want traffic calming measures on road 'before someone is killed' 

Boyle residents have raised fears over the high volume of traffic speeding on the Mockmoyne road in the town and are calling for traffic calming measures to be installed “before someone is killed.” 

Local man Joe Rushe explained that a petition was sent to the council and the gardaí last year with over 50 signatures but “it made no difference.” The area is home to a large number of elderly people, who make up about 80 percent of residents, and many are too afraid to walk on the road due to the speeding, which he said is constantly taking place.

He pointed out that a large number of trucks travel on this route from Gurteen and many avail of the straight stretch to pick up speed. “People are travelling as fast as they can go and some people are passing other cars out,” he said.

He added that new speed limits coming into effect will not make any difference. “If they don’t adhere to the 50 kmph limit, they will not adhere to the new 30 limit kmph.” 

He continued: “It has just gone out of bounds. If you are driving out of your house you could be put into orbit. Someone is going to get killed.” He said people’s quality of life is being affected as they are too afraid to walk on the road while windows to the front of homes have to remain closed due to the noise.

He said the volume of traffic is increasing all the time, adding there is also a problem with some flooding on the road for the last 15 years and with the maintenance of footpaths.

“You can’t walk or cycle on the road. They (motorists) just put the boot down when they see the straight stretch. You are taking your life in your hands if your try to cross the road.” 

He said that when the matter is raised with the council they are referred to the gardaí who in turn refer it back to the council in a catch 22 situation. Residents have also sought to raise the matter on a political level but fear they are not being listened to.

He accepted gardaí cannot monitor the area on a constant basis and therefore there is a need for traffic calming measures highlighting the policy in place in Northern Ireland as an example of how this could work where every town and village has measures in place.

He added: “It is very frustrating. It’s not fair on the older people who just want a bit of peace and comfort.” Locals are now considering setting up a Residents Committee in a bid to find a solution to the issue.

A spokesperson for Roscommon County Council told the Herald: “The county council is aware of local representations made in relation to speeding on this road. Other than this, we have no comment to make in relation to individual locations.”