The elected members of Ballina Town Council this week welcomed the proposed roadworks’ programme for the coming year as laid out by town engineer Orla Bourke. Cllr Johnny O’Malley told the meeting: “It’s always a juggling act to make a small amount of money go a long way.”
This year’s roadworks programme will see a total of €330,00 being spent by the council on road, footpath and laneway repairs. The council has received a block grant from the Department of Transport of €195,000 with the council directing €55,000 towards the laneways project, €40,000 towards footpath maintenance and €40,000 for additional road improvements from their own resources.
The councillors all welcomed the news of a pedestrian crossing on Cathedral Road at a very busy crossing to the cathedral and a funeral home. However, a number of councillors said it will also be up to motorists to give way to ensure that the crossing and others are a success.
Cllr Mary Kelly stated: “A lot of the concerns we have at a number of crossings in the town comes from bad driving and parking from motorists. If they gave the proper respect and followed the rules, we wouldn’t have a lot of these fears.”
Cllr Gerry Ginty agreed: “Young drivers come in for a lot of stick, but you’ll find they will give way properly and park properly a lot more than drivers of an older vintage.” Méara Cllr Peter Clarke added: “I walk my dog most nights around the town and I agree with Cllr Ginty, it’s young drivers who give way to you more at crossings than older drivers.”
