Solutions sought to slow traffic entering Ballinamore

Councillor Paddy O'Rourke said a solution is needed to slow traffic entering Ballinamore from the Mohill/ Carrick-on-Shannon road, to make it safer for pedestrians, especially children.

He said that heavy good vehicles are coming into the town at speed and don't hit the brakes until they reach the pedestrian ramp directly outside the town's primary school, Scoil Chlann Naofa.

The entrance to the town includes a number of buildings with heavy footfall including Scoil Chlann Naofa, Ballinamore Childcare, Ballinamore Afterschool and the Mens and Hens Sheds at Ballinamore's old Vocational School.

Cllr O'Rourke added he was not recommending gardai be installed, but that he has witnessed himself the speed of vehicles as they turn the corner and pass by the creche/ play school and a busy national school.

He asked Leitrim County Council what measures could be taken to help this busy area of Ballinamore.

Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn backed up Cllr O'Rourke and said she had previously walked the area with engineer Darragh O'Boyle.

Mr O'Boyle said the council have put down yellow strips, a speed feedback sign and a pedestrian ramp. He said the most effective way to slow vehicles down is to have a “regular Garda gatzo van” at the area.

He explained that the RSA speed van on the entrance to Carrick-on-Shannon has effectively slowed traffic down.

The only other alternative according to Mr O'Boyle would be to align new footpaths inside the private properties for the safety of pedestrians, but that would cost a lot of money.

Cllr Brendan Barry also supported the motion and asked if coloured circles and school warning signs could be deployed on the road.

Darragh O'Boyle said Active travel are looking into adding such measures as part of their safer school route, but they would be directly outside the school and not on the approach road.