Safety concerns drive proposal for footbridge at junction in Ballinamore

A footbridge opposite The Island Theatre should be installed, Ballinamore Municipal District has heard to combat safety concerns.

At the latest Ballinamore Municipal District meeting, Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn put forward a motion advocating for the construction of a footbridge, citing hazardous conditions at the junction near The Island Theatre.

The junction which features four entry points, has raised concerns among residents due to heightened traffic during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

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"At peak times when people are going to schools, it's very dangerous for both pedestrians and people driving because there's a lot of traffic including buses," Cllr Reynolds-Flynn said.

"You're straight into the pedestrian crossing and you have to stop there too, it's just such a dangerous junction."

Issues about the junction in Ballinamore have been raised in earlier meetings.

"We've brought it up before, we talked about at one stage putting lights there so that's going to be looked at," Cllr Reynolds-Flynn explained.

In a reply from the Roads department, the meeting heard that the Active Travel Section will investigate the feasibility of an Active Travel scheme to improve pedestrians safety at the junction. The reply stated, "The team will liaise with the National Transport Authority regarding the possibility of funding for works to be carried out at this location."

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"It's a difficult junction because of where it's located and I'd be hoping that a footbridge would alleviate that, and that funding will be approved because the Active Travel is all about walking," Cllr Reynolds-Flynn said.