New Oranmore junction will be made safer
Galway County Council confirmed that the layout for the Beech Grove / Beech Park junction on the Maree Road scheme has been revised after issues were raised locally.
In correspondence to Fianna Fáil Cllr Martina Kinane, Tom Coleman, Executive Engineer with the council’s Active Travel section, said the updated design reflects the number of residents living in the estate.
“The design for the Beech Grove / Beech Park junction has been amended to address issues raised,” he said.
“The revised layout remains fully compliant with the relevant standards, and the adjustment reflects the higher number of residents living within the estate compared to the Beech Grove junction completed.”
Mr Coleman said the junction will still include “junction tightening,” a traffic-calming measure intended to slow vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The purpose of junction tightening is to prioritise vulnerable road users by ensuring that drivers reduce speed
“The purpose of junction tightening is to prioritise vulnerable road users by ensuring that drivers reduce speed, and where necessary stop prior to navigating into or out of a junction. This safety feature will continue to form part of all junctions within this scheme,” he said.
Up to 80 homes in the Beech Grove and Beech Park estates have been affected by the project and he added that they responded to all recent correspondence from concerned residents.
Cllr Kinane has requested a map clearly outlining the proposed amendments so residents can see how the junction design will change.
“For clarity, and in order to properly address the safety concerns that have been raised by residents, I would be grateful if you could provide a map with the proposed amendments clearly indicated,” she said.
Councillors have continued to raise concerns about the disruption caused by the works and the level of consultation with residents.
Council officials said the project had gone through consultation in line with statutory requirements – but added that the Council goes above the minimum consultation requirements and said they would be happy to arrange further engagement with residents.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.