Concerns over lethal stretch
Concerns over the state of the
R294 Tubbercurry to Boyle road at Mullinabreena were raised at the County Council meeting.
The road which connects Boyle in County Roscommon to Ballina in County Mayo via Tubbercurry was described as dangerous in several sections as it passes through south Sligo.
Cllr Dara Mulvey said he was aware of numerous near misses on the road particularly at a section near Leitrim South outside Tubbercurry.
He said that it has now got to a stage that people trying to get out onto the road from Leitrim South have to turn off their cars to hear of cars approaching along the R294, such is the speed of some motorists at this stretch. He called for a speed counter to be installed.
Cllr Margaret Gormley said that the length of the R294 was 64.5 kilometres and that 52.4 kilometres were in County Sligo.
She said meetings had taken place in the past with Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon County Councils in relation to improvement works on the R294.
Cllr Gormley said some improvements were made since the 2004 meeting, but stressed that another meeting may be required now to ensure funding is allocated to upgrade certain sections, particularly at Mullinabreena South which the councillor described as “extremely narrow”.
Cllr Jerry Lundy agreed that improvements were needed, and said his particular concern was a stretch from Tubbercurry Golf Club to Oghambaun which he described as a “very important issue” for the local area.
He agreed that another joint meeting between the three councils should take place.
Responding to the motion, Director of Services Tom Kilfeather said that he would investigate Cllr Mulvey’s query of a speed counter and if a solution could be found an application would be lodged for funding.
On road improvements, however, Mr Kilfeather said it would be difficult to get funding as the previous scheme has been suspended, but said the council would make contact with Mayo and Roscommon County Councils in order to make a joint application.