In dire need of lights, cameras and action
‘ DANGEROUS’ TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN CENTRE OF TOWN
TUBBER needs lights, maybe cameras, and certainly action.
It has nothing to do with movie- making but rather the town’s traffic problems.
And now may be the time for people to have their say.
Much of the problem arises from traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, going through the centre of the town rather than taking the back road.
They do so because travelling on the back road involves negotiating two T- junctions, with consequent delays.
Local auctioneer Roger McCarrick said: “All traffic going from north to south is going through the town rather than taking the by- pass.
“The problem with taking the by- pass is that motorists are held up at the two T- junctions. As a result, through- traffic flies up through the main street and is a danger to pedestrians.
“There seems to be general agreement that the right of way should be to traffic on the N17 by- pass with conditions.
“However, if this goes ahead, traffic would be held up coming in from the Ballina Road, where St Attracta’s School is located.
“We want to to take away the dangerous traffic going through the town.”
Meanwhile, in the centre of town, business people are annoyed that parking is restricted be yellow lines.
It means, they say, that cars keep going because they can find no place to park.
Businesswoman Annie Killoran said: “I am not happy with the yellow lines on the main street because business is leaving the town.
“There is no place for parking and motorists are gone elsewhere.
“Going back years we depended on The Square for parking but that is developed and there is not as much much space. “Tubbercurry needs a good car park. “If I was to get one car out of every 100 passing through, my place would not be able to hold them.
“The Main Street is now just a passingthrough thoroughfare.”
There had been suggestions that roundabouts be constructed at the two junctions on the back road, one at the turn for Ballina, the other at the junction for Charlestown. However, planners say this is not feasible. Now there is a proposal that traffic lights be erected at both junctions.
Plans on what is proposed are available for inspection at the council offices in the Road Design Office in the Market Yard in Sligo until July 30th.
This will be followed by a two- week submission period.
However, Roads Engineer John O’Flaherty says he will meet by appointment with anybody in Tubbercurry to discuss what is planned. He can be contacted at 071- 91- 11963. Meanwhile, Chamber of Commerce President Romauld Mullarkey outlined what he felt was required.
He said there was a need for the council to be less restrictive on signage for businesses.
“We want a way to notify people what’s in the town before they come to the second junction,” he said.
He also said there is a need for a second traffic filter lane from the Ballina Road to Circular Road to accommodate people going to and from the school, especially in the mornings.
There was also, he said, a need to upgrade footpaths to Gallagher House for wheelchair users.
And a road from Teeling Street to Circular Road via Leonard’s Court needed to be widened.
There was a need for a bus shelter and parking area on the back road to accommodate students and parents.
And he has called for ducting to be installed now for later installation of CCTV cameras.