Upgrade and realignment works are urgently needed at dangerous blackspots on the N17 where accidents are occurring on an ongoing basis, according to a local councillor following the latest crash which occurred north of Milltown on August 9 last.
Independent Tuam councillor Seán Canney made the comments following the two-car crash at a bend at Carrownurlaur, about three miles on the Ballindine side of Milltown, which occurred at around 7am and resulted in one person being taken to hospital suffering injuries, not believed to be life-threatening.
This latest crash is not far from the location where a fatal collision between a car and a pick-up truck took place on November 17 last year which resulted in the deaths of four young women. A fifth woman, the driver of the car, is still being treated in hospital, almost nine months later.
The parents of one of the victims recently called on the National Roads Authority (NRA ) and the local authorities to carry out an upgrade of the road where their daughter died. Their pleas have been backed by local residents who have for years been crying out for upgrade works to be carried out.
Cllr Canney said he has been concerned for the state of the N17 and the dangers it poses for a long time now and has lobbied the council on the issue with no success. “The problem is since the tragic deaths of those girls there have been numerous accidents. Some of them may not be life-threatening but they are still happening on an ongoing basis, almost monthly. It’s a national primary route but it is a very poor section of road as regards alignment,” he said.
