Frustration at inaction to address Mayo crossing safety concerns
FRUSTRATION in Foxford over the lack of action to address safety concerns at the town centre pedestrian crossing will be brought to the attention of TII at a meeting next week.
A delegation from Mayo County Council is meeting with the national roads authority about projects in the county, with the Foxford issue added to their agenda after getting an airing at the monthly municipal district meeting this week.
“This is going on too long,” a clearly fed up Councillor Neil Cruise told colleagues and council management, warning that locals will be taking action if it's not resolved.
Are the people of Foxford third or fourth class citizens, he asked, with the lack of progress being made on the pedestrian crossing safety measures on the N26.
A proposal went out for public consultation earlier this year which would remove the right turn off Main Street onto the N26, sending traffic straight ahead on a route that features local schools, the woollen mills, Hope House and sports club instead.
This option, said Councillor Cruise, was not fit for purpose.
He sought updates in September and October and was told they are waiting for a famous safety audit. It was, he commented, all 'delay, delay, delay'.
The issue has been going on for 12 years now and someone is going to get hurt or killed at the crossing, he warned. It's time to get on with the job and get it sorted. “It's past time for action.”
He wanted the support of his colleagues and management to sound a note of urgency to TII that this needs to go from priority Z to priority A or B.
“This is a simple thing that could be resolved in the morning,” Councillor Cruise added, and he wanted TII and the roads office to step up to the plate.
People are getting tired and there will be action, and he would support them 500 per cent and lead out on it.
Councillor Damien Ryan said a meeting is taking place with TII next Tuesday and an update needs to be part of the discussion.
* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme