Mayo council asked to have a look at 'dangerous' wild flowers

A Mayo councillor described wild flowers planted at a pedestrian crossing in Ballina as dangerous and asked for them to be taken away.

Fine Gael councillor John O'Hara made the comments at the monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District where he expressed concern that motorists would not be able to see young children coming to the pedestrian crossing.

A new pedestrian crossing was recently installed near the Sean Duffy Community Centre and GAA pitch in Ardnaree with wild flowers planted alongside it.

However, Cllr O'Hara said that he has been contacted by a number of people regarding the height of the flowers and they are not suitable for the location.

“The only reason I am saying they are dangerous is because if a small child runs across the road you won't see that child if you are driving. The wild flowers are about two feet high and a lot of people have contacted me to say they are not in a suitable place at the Seán Duffy Centre. I would ask you to look at that when driving in from Bonniconlon. I would feel sorry for someone that would have an accident there,” he said.

The Bonniconlon-based councillor made the comments after praising the enhancement work done to the Railway Embankment on the Killala Road which have been completed. The meeting heard timber panelling has been stained and wild flowers were planted along the embankment.

Cllr O'Hara said the flowers along the railway embankment 'are mighty' but asked for the council to take a look at the pedestrian crossing in Ardnaree.

Anna O'Connor, the Head of the Ballina Municipal District agreed that the council will have a look at the pedestrian crossing in Ardnaree.