'It was absolute madness': Locals reflect on rejected traffic system for Leitrim bridge

The controversial one-way traffic system that trialled on Rooskey bridge last October has been firmly rejected by councillors of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District. A presentation delivered to the councillors last Monday revealed that 84 percent of Rooskey residents who participated in a public survey were not in favour of the shuttle system. 

Despite the National Transport Authority (NTA) deeming the trial as a ‘success,’ local sentiment tells a different story.

John McGuire, of the filling station and shop McGuire’s of Rooskey, reported that his business suffered a 20 percent drop in sales during the two week trial.

“It really affected us, our shop was very quiet. We had the whole shop going but no one was coming in. Once the trial was over, things were back to normal again,” he said.

“People weren’t coming around by Dromod and by Rooksey to call into us because of the lights.”

In addition to the decline in business, McGuire observed traffic congestion caused by the shuttle system, with cars backed up as far as his shop on some days.

“Out of all the people I’ve talked to about it, no one wants it,” he added. “I know there’s the odd person that mightn’t have a car and might think it’s a great job but they’re not driving.”

The NTA deemed the trial a success, as the trial had more emphasis and was better suited to pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

While the NTA highlighted the system's benefits for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, McGuire also pointed out safety concerns during the trial, arguing that the bridge functions safely as it currently stands.

A bridge too far - and €2 million too much? Carrick councillors reject plan for Leitrim bridge

Carrick-on-Shannon councillors have unanimously opposed a shuttle system for Rooskey, backing a cantilever bridge as a safer, long-term solution for the village.

“If you’re walking now the drivers have the cop on to stop and let you go. It’s working the way it is.”

“A cantilever bridge would be the best of both worlds, everyone is happy then,” he concluded.

Gary Meehan of Rooskey Town and Country Development voiced a similar sentiment.

Living right beside the bridge, he described the disruptions he witnessed during the trial.

“I thought it was absolute madness,” he said. “We weren’t able to get parking because we weren’t able to cross the road due to the traffic lights, we couldn’t get parking at our house at all.”

Meehan noted that he has yet to hear from anyone who supported the trial.

Reacting to the 84 opposition revealed in the public survey, he said: “I’m actually shocked that it wasn’t higher. They’re clearly not from around here, it must be someone passing through where it wouldn’t have an affect on them.”

Meehan also supports the idea of a cantilever bridge - something that Rooskey nearly secured a couple of years ago.

He explained as part of Rooskey Town and Country Development, they had previously lobbied for such a bridge and had been allocated nearly €1 million. However, the funding was redirected to another project in a different county.

“They were going to go with it that time and I can’t see why they won’t go with it now because it’s needed. It would be the way to go.”

The NTA is very unlikely to fund a cantilever bridge, with the estimated cost just over €2 million. 

With no clear solution in sight for Rooskey bridge, one thing is apparent: the one-way traffic system has failed to gain acceptance among locals, councillors and business owners alike.

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