The difference between controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings caused a bit of controversy at Castlebar Town Council’s monthly meeting. Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne brought up the issue because of a report that was circulated to the members which outlined a number of pedestrian crossings which had been installed in the town. “In relation to pedestrian crossings, I don’t know where any of these are in the town. I can’t see them anywhere.”
Town engineer Sean Higgins told the meeting that “these are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, you know them by seeing there is a dropped curve and the tactile pavement at the roadside.” Cllr Kilcoyne replied by asking: “But how are the pedestrians supposed to know this and the motorists? There are no warning signs to let people know that these are pedestrian crossings.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Blackie Gavin also expressed his anger at these crossings. “I’m very disappointed with this, people don’t know that these are crossings and neither do people who are driving on the roads. Who is responsible if there’s an accident at one of these crossings?” Cllr Gavin went on to call on the council to arrange a site meeting for the councillors so they can see where all these crossings are. Cllr Eugene McCormack added: “The problem here is the definition of a pedestrian crossing. When we in the council asked about pedestrian crossings, we were talking about ones with flashing warning lights and markings on the road, not uncontrolled crossings which nobody knows exist.”
