Traffic safety scheme in Castlerea queried
A lorry trying to navigate the junction of St Patrick Street and Main Street in Castlerea. Pic. Liam Reynolds
The Castlerea traffic safety scheme not approved by Roscommon Municipal District councillors last year because of the loss of on-street parking was raised at an MD meeting last week.
The Part 8 scheme was not approved when it came before the councillors at a meeting in February of last year. They claimed the substantial loss of existing car-parking spaces in the town would have a detrimental impact on local businesses and residents.
The original traffic scheme proposals proposed 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.
At the March meeting of Roscommon MD, Independent Ireland councillor Nigel Dineen asked if pedestrian crossings were still being proposed for the town. “What is the future for Castlerea in terms of safety?” he asked.
Pointing out to the meeting that there was a scheme pending, Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said it would be explored to see if any elements of the previous scheme could be integrated to ensure there would be no reduction in parking. He said that was the big concern of the previous scheme.
Cllr Fitzmaurice believed the pedestrian crossings proposed under the previous scheme should still have gone ahead but “it was all or nothing”.
The Castlerea councillor said he had met a number of people in relation to the matter and hoped it would reach “a conclusion over the next few months”.
