‘Growing Collooney needs a new traffic management plan with one-way system’
THE need for a traffic management plan in Collooney, including a one-way system, was raised once again this week, with local councillors pointing to the growth of the town and the fact that there are no vacant commercial premises in the town.
Cllr Thomas Healy had a motion at a Sligo-Drumcliffe Municipal District meeting calling on the council to make an application for funding under the RRDF (Rural Regional Development Fund) and engage with appointing a consultant for a public realm enhancement scheme to address traffic management on the Main
Street and the remainder of Collooney village.
Acting director of services Emer Concannon said that an application for funding under the RRDF scheme for public enhancement works in Collooney in 2020, which would have incorporated key elements of the proposed oneway system, was unfortunately not successful.
She said that, as resources allowed, the counncil would reassess the application and include it for consideration in the next round of RRDF funding.
Cllr Healy told the meeting that a one-way system for Collooney was an ongoing issue since 2009. “Local businesses are all on for it but I appreciate that the council has to carry out a public consultation on it,” he said.
Cllr Healy said that there were now more than 2,000 residents in Collooney, which was designated as a a satellite town.
“People want to see a traffic management plan for the Main Street and there is a proposal for a car park for which somebody has given ground.”
He said that it was important that an application for funding was made again and he said that local community are willing to work with the council on this. Supporting, Cllr Thomas Walsh asked that public consultation on this would be opened this year if at all possible.
“There are buses and lorries coming through the Main Street and they cannot get through and cars are having to reverse.” He said that both Collooney and Ballisodare were growing satellite towns and the proper infrastructure needed to be put in place. “There aren’t any commercial premises available in Collooney. I have had three people ring me looking for premises for a business,” he said.