Ballina traders have scored a victory of sorts after the town council this week agreed to backtrack in part on a recently introduced new traffic layout. With immediate effect from Wednesday November 3 last, a reversal of the direction of traffic along the main artery of Tone Street was introduced, meaning that traffic can once more travel eastwards from Market Square along Tone Street to the junction at Pearse Street.
Last week business people jammed a public meeting to highlight the negative impact the new layout was having on town centre trade and called on the council to revise the scheme.
Ballina Town Council, in conjunction with Mayo County Council issued the following statement on the matter:
“The council wishes to advise that a review of the current Phase Two trial traffic management system – which was introduced on September 29, 2010 – has been carried out, taking into consideration submissions made by elected representatives of Ballina Town Council and Mayo County Council, Ballina Chamber of Commerce, members of the public, business people, and others.
“Due to the absence of a formal link road to connect Market Road and Pearse Street, the council consider it appropriate to reverse the direction of traffic along Tone Street from its junction with Market Road to its junction with Pearse/O’Rahilly Street.
“Motorists should take note that the additional changes implemented under phase two, comprising a mini-roundabout at Humbert Monument and “No Right Turn” manoeuvre at New Brook Road/Humbert Street junction, will remain in place until further notice.
“Ballina Town Council, together with Mayo County Council, will continue to monitor the current layout (as amended by this notice ) and further reviews will take place. In the interim, the Local Authority continues to welcome any submissions which individuals or organisations may wish to make.”
