Annaduff road should be widened by two feet as concern also expressed about junction

Cllr Des Guckian called on Council officials to accede to the wishes of the local people that the road along the new footpath from Annaduff NS to Antfield be widened by two feet, on the northern side.

“This is necessary,” he said, “to allow two wide vehicles to meet safely on the hill.”

Cllr Guckian, speaking at the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting, also asked that the new high footpath there be cut back by a few feet to allow vehicles coming off the Finnelaughta road to turn left with safety and “not to have to go way out onto the above-mentioned road, the L3470-0.”

Cllr Des Guckian raised the issue of the road in Annaduff.

A response by the Roads department stated, “The new footpath was constructed as an Active Travel initiative to cater for people walking to the school or church. The existing road width was not interfered with.”

“We can apply for a specific improvement grant to widen the existing road but this is subject to land owner approval. We cannot apply our normal grant process (RIG/RMG) to road widening as it does not cover land costs,” the reply continued.

The response, however, indicated a number of road widening schemes are ahead of this project awaiting such specific improvement grants.

Cllr Guckian said that while it is “technically correct” to say the road has not been narrowed, a two foot wide grass margin was lost on the footpath side where vehicles could pull onto in the past. The high kerb there now prevents this, he said.

He added that the problem is complicated by the long steep hill and suggested the only way to widen the road is by two feet on the other side.

He also said it was not an unreasonable request to have the high footpath cut back a few feet.

Cllr Sean McGowan said this issue had been brought to his attention also. He said it is a very busy road with a lot of schoolchildren and it now does give the impression that it has been narrowed and it would be difficult for two large vehicles to pass.

He agreed there is a query about vehicles turning out onto the road and asked that something be done to help the situation.

Cllr Enda Stenson also supported the motion.

Darragh O’Boyle, District Engineer, said the road has not been narrowed and has, in fact, been slightly widened.

He said they would need a specific improvement grant to widen the road and have not got one of those in 10 years. He said they could put in a request for a SIG and see if the landowner was willing to give or sell them some land on that side.

Mr O’Boyle said an RIG is to take place on the road junction in question and once complete it should make it more manoeuvrable.

Cllr Guckian remarked that a very good job was done on the footpath but it was “impinging on the road itself” and he urged no delay in getting the SIG. He said he suspected the landowner “will be obliging.”