The issue of uncontrolled pedestrian crossings in Castlebar was raised again at the monthly meeting of Castlebar Town Council. Cllr Michael Kilcoyne brought up the issue telling the meeting: “In relation to the report we got on pedestrian crossings last month, there are very clear regulations as to what are pedestrian crossings and none of which are listed comply with that. I propose that we get the road safety officer for Mayo County Council to make a report on these crossings and let him decide if they are safe.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Blackie Gavin supported Cllr Kilcoyne’s concerns in relation to the crossings, telling the meeting: “I think Castlebar has become the laughing stock in relation to pedestrian crossings. This is a very serious issue for the safety of the public in Castlebar.” Fine Gael Cllr Eugene McCormack stressed that it was important the elected members keep bringing this issue up, telling the meeting: “There is no doubt this is a burning issue and it’s our duty as councillors to keep highlighting it until something is done about it.”
Mayor Kevin Guthrie, while supporting the concerns of his fellow councillors, laid some of the blame at the foot of Mayo County Council. “In Castlebar we have the problem that the majority of the roads that run in and around the town are controlled by Mayo County Council,” he said. “I think we should ask the engineer who is responsible for these roads to report to us on the situation.”
Cllr Aidan Crowley explained to the meeting a number of problems that exist with the uncontrolled pedestrian crossings in the town. “The roundabout at the Tesco and Homebase has an uncontrolled crossing,” Cllr Crowley said. “It’s up to the pedestrian to make a decision as to when it’s safe to cross, but with the volume of traffic that is coming from all directions into that roundabout, it’s nigh on impossible, I would suggest, for a person to decide when it’s safe to cross, and the vast majority of motorists don’t know it’s a crossing either.”
Cllr Brendan Heneghan told the meeting that it was not good enough that this crossing issue kept coming up. “It’s just not good enough, this issue needs to be addressed.”
Town manager Seamus Granahan told the meeting that he was working on the issue. “ I’m aware of the issue, I did say that I would make a list of all the crossings and I would work it,” he said. “The new plans we have for Main Street have at least 10 crossings both controlled and uncontrolled on it.”
