Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane is calling for roundabouts in Castlebar to revert to standard. A long campaigner on this issue, she insists that people have had enough, that this is a road safety issue and it’s time to bring Castlebar roundabouts in line with the rest of the country. She is seeking the backing of members of Castlebar Town Council at the next council meeting for this issue to be addressed once and for all.
Cllr Ruane explained: “I have been campaigning on this issue for some time now. In March 2010, I brought a motion before the council seeking that road markings on roundabouts in Castlebar revert to standard. It was agreed that signage would be erected on the approach to roundabouts in the town indicating the road markings and asking motorists to get in lane. I was not happy with this, insisting that this was a waste of taxpayers money and said that I would be monitoring the situation over six months and report back to the council. The situation hasn't changed, it is totally unsatisfactory, we need to revert to standard markings.
“This issue will not go away until it is addressed and roundabouts in Castlebar revert to standard markings just like every other town in this state. Roundabouts in Castlebar are downright dangerous, the signage, as I anticipated, has not solved anything. Each roundabout is different to the next one. It is particularly dangerous for drivers of articulated trucks, and more vulnerable users such as cyclists, motorcycles.
“It causes confusion and anxiety for learner drivers and difficulties for driving instructors teaching standard rules and then having to explain to learner drivers that ‘different rules apply in Castlebar’,” said Cllr Ruane.
She added: “It beggars belief that Castlebar has to be different from every other town in the country, putting road users’ safety at risk. Mayo County Council must sort this issue urgently.”
