Castlebar residents warn N60 Breaffy Active Travel Scheme could turn their road into a ‘death trap’
Residents of Balloor Road in Castlebar have warned that proposed works linked to the Breaffy Active Travel Scheme could turn their road into a “death trap”, amid concerns that a planned junction redesign connecting to the N60 at Breaffy will make the area unsafe.
The issue was raised at a recent council meeting, where residents said the junction realignment under the N60 Active Travel Scheme will significantly narrow the junction, making it difficult for two vehicles to pass at the same time.
They argued that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) design specifications do not reflect local conditions, including the steep gradient of Balloor Road and increasing traffic volumes.
Residents also criticised what they described as a lack of consultation, saying notice signs were not visible on Balloor Road before the Part 8 planning process, leaving them feeling “hoodwinked” by changes they believe will reduce safety.
Following a site meeting involving residents, councillors, council officials and the National Roads Office, three adjustments to the scheme were outlined in an email read out at the meeting.
These include widening a section of Balloor Road south of the junction to improve visibility, minor works at the transition point between Balloor Road and the R308 to address road camber, and a review of kerb alignment once initial works are completed.
However, residents were told clearly that all changes must comply with national road design specifications and safety guidelines.
Locals insist those standards do not account for the unique characteristics of Balloor Road, which they describe as steep, narrow and increasingly busy.
Responsibility for the junction is split, with Mayo County Council overseeing Balloor Road and TII retaining jurisdiction over the N60, a division residents say is contributing to a disconnect that is harming them.
During the site meeting, an incident occurred when an HGV attempted to pass as cars approached from the opposite direction. It demonstrated residents' concerns about traffic not being able to pass through the junction safely.
Speaking at the meeting, resident Frank Forde said no updated traffic management survey had been carried out prior to the scheme’s design.
He argued that traffic in the area is increasing daily and that the junction narrowing would never have been proposed if current data had been used.
“There are 52 houses on that road alone now, and there are probably a hundred odd cars. The junction is particularly busy because it takes an awful lot of the traffic from the Belcarra French Hill side,” he said.
“A lot of it is commercial traffic. It is not safe to use that road and the junction - something needs to be done with it,” he added.
Mr Forde said the adjustments outlined by officials did not give residents confidence that meaningful change would occur.
“We need to know there will be changes made to that junction. We are the residents - let's not wait for someone to be injured or for a fatality before we make those changes,” he said.
Following the meeting, he described the situation to the Irish Independent as “bureaucracy gone mad”, pointing to what he said was a disconnect between TII and Mayo County Council.
“There seems to be some sort of disconnect, and we are lost in the cracks. They need to come up with a solution to the problem that we have, and if this is the best that democracy offers us in terms of our safety along that road - well, it doesn’t leave much hope,” he said.
Another resident, Kathleen Gillespie, said she was disappointed to hear that “there is no collaboration between TII and Mayo County Council”.
Ms Gillespie shared a letter written by residents addressed to Castlebar Councillors with the Irish Independent.
In it, the residents stated that: “Any road designer has a duty of care to undertake a robust risk assessment of the proposed junction to ensure the revised layout does not introduce any new or increased risk to road users,
“It is our opinion the current proposal does introduce a new and/or heightened level of risk for all users of the junction, and that is the crux of the matter,
“It is our view that this type of junction design may be appropriate in locations where approach roads are relatively flat; however, given the camber of the main road and the steep gradient of the Balloor Road, a bespoke site-specific solution is required at this location.”
Councillors urged TII and the National Roads Office to work together to find a solution. Cllr Ger Deere said safety must be prioritised, stating that “the scope has to be changed to suit the residents and the money has to be found. Now is the time to get it right.”
Head of the Castlebar Municipal District, David Mellett, said the agreed changes would take place but emphasised that active travel schemes are designed to improve pedestrian safety and influence driver behaviour.
“The most dangerous road user is the one driving vehicles, and any safety measure, whether it's active travel or junction realignment, the infrastructure is there to influence driver behaviour. There will be a change for drivers, and that has to be accepted,” he said.
He acknowledged residents’ concerns but said works must remain within TII guidelines, adding that updated traffic and speed data can be collected as requested.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.