Commuter traffic between the routes of Castlebar/Westport and Balla/Claremorris was seriously compromised this week when two serious vehicular accidents on different days led to rush-hour road closures and long delays for motorists.
The first accident occurred on Monday last at around 5.15pm on the Castlebar to Westport road at the Islandeady turn-off, involving six people — five in one car and a male van driver. All six parties, including a child, were taken to hospital for treatment and one casualty (not the child ) suffered serious injuries in the impact.
On Wednesday morning on the Claremorris side of the Balla road a second accident occurred before 9am after a motorist approaching a Garda checkpoint did a U-turn and, following pursuit by a Garda car, crashed into a ditch. The road into Claremorris was subsequently closed as medical assessment of the driver was carried out. After his injuries were deemed not to be serious, the busy commuter road was opened to traffic once more.
As a result of the accident on the Westport-Castlebar road, which carries 6,000 cars every day according to a new Iompar Mhaigh Eo survey, motorists were caught up in traffic logjams and diversions along narrow country roads that added up to 20 miles, and a time delay close to one hour, to the usual 10 minute Westport-Castlebar commute. Cars exiting onto the route from byroads along the way were also caught up in the fray and, unaware of the road closure ahead, were then forced to turn around again and wait for a place in the queue of oncoming traffic from Castlebar which was being filed by gardaí into diversion routes via the Cloonkeen/Castlebar Rugby Club road and across to Ballyheane.
The Ballyheane to Castlebar road was also extremely busy at the time due to Galway commuter traffic and attendees at the Ballinrobe Races returning home, making it even more difficult for diverted traffic to gain access to the main road. As ambulances and fire engines rushed to the accident scene, commuter traffic backed up to the point where there was little or no movement to the snake-like queue for minutes at a time. All in all the situation made for chaotic driving conditions for thousands of motorists caught unawares and who were then left in limbo for a long period of time. While the accident occurred at 5.15pm, it was 6.30pm before the first road closure public alert was issued to local radio, and signage from Mayo County Council of diversions ahead were also slow to appear.
Commenting on events, Castlebar Superintendent Garda Willie Keaveney confirmed that the situation did get out of hand, while Mayo county manager Peter Hynes agreed that lessons needed to be learned. A new traffic management and road diversion scheme is now being put in place by the authorities.
“The accident occurred just at rush hour and it took a while to establish the injuries and to determine the need for the Westport road closure,” stated Supt Keaveney. “We are obliged to call in forensic investigators if there is a serious accident and await direction. We also have to get on to local council engineers who provide signage and advise us on route directions.
“Diversions were put in place at Islandeady, Deerycoosh, and then the junction off the Ballinrobe Road over to Ballyheane, but unfortunately there was no movement for a long time. As soon as gardaí realised the seriousness of the accident diversions up Coonkeen towards Westport were imposed. The route was fairly hectic at the time and that was considered to be the best option.
“It certainly could have been chaotic but that’s what you’re landed with. There was very little anyone could do about it, it takes time to sort things out. We have since had discussions with Mayo County Council as to how best we can streamline traffic in such events and they are looking at implementing more suitable road closures, such as closing the Westport road altogether and putting traffic in through Newport.”
Happily, Mayo motorists proved very patient and understanding throughout, according to Superintendent Keaveney, who said the gardaí got “very little grief” following the accident.
Mayo county manager Peter Hynes confirmed that in case of future road closures, they would look to divert from the major towns rather than around country roads.
“The matter is being reviewed and we are aware of concerns of safety and convenience. There is a group working on the whole question of diversions and communication and part of their remit will be to improve procedures. What happened was unfortunate but all serious accidents must be investigated and inevitably this will cause delays.”
