You could be killed at it today- O'Rourke calls for safety works at Greagh Cross

"This is an old chestnut. I was an altar boy and officiated at the funeral of a man that was killed at Greagh Cross and that was nearly 50 years ago and you could be killed at it today," said Cllr Paddy O'Rourke at the latest meeting of the Ballinamore municipal district.  
He was asking when will the works to make Greagh Cross safe be completed and noted that while the signage and other measures have assisted in a small way, "the reduction of the hill on the approach from the Drumnamore side, which blocks the view of those crossing from Fenagh to Aughavas and vice versa, is the only long-term solution. I understand adjoining landowners are agreeable to having the water mains re-sited within their property."
He said the only solution was to "reduce the road approaching from Arroo; to peel the top of that hill so people can see the top of it."

He said from the Aughavas side, "you cannot safely say there is no one coming from Ballinamore because they come in on you so fast." 
The official response noted that District Engineer, Darragh O'Boye has met with stakeholders regarding Greagh Cross alignment and safety and it was agreed that the District Office would reduce the vegetation and hedges on the approach (LCC property) and apply for a Low Cost Safety to widen the Longford side of the junction. 
The conclusion concluded: "This will require landowner agreement. Reducing the alignment is not an option unless a Specific Improvement Grant is made available to carry out such works."

Cllr O'Rourke said he understood that there was an issue "regarding a water mains which adjoining landowners have no problem accommodating" adding that "if it's the difference between life and death it's worth doing." 

Cllr Caillian Ellis supported the motion saying there were other issues at the location. "On the Aughavas side of it, where the road was raised, there is a terrible drop on one side of it and two cars actually got caught in it lately."

He asked if the council could carry out works to raise the verge. 

Mr O'Boyle said he met a number of elected representatives at the location along with concerned citizens and said the solution "is to get the vegetation cut down so you can increase sight distance from the Aughavas side."

He said he would put the section of road forward for a low cost safety scheme next year and "widen that section and it will allow us to raise some part of the lower section at the cross."

He said the long-term solution is to get a Specific Improvement Grant where a complete realignment of the junction is carried out which means "taking off the hill and lowering the water main."

He said that, in the meantime, the approach roads have been surface dressed and "got proper line markings and proper signage".

He added: "It's been 50 years since there has been an incident there" with Cllr O'Rourke saying there are "near misses every day." 

He said a hedge cutting contractor was set to go to the location after the meeting.