Mayo bus stop an ‘accident waiting to happen’ as councillors call for dedicated depot
Councillors in Castlebar have called for a site to be identified for a bus depot in the town, as they highlighted safety concerns and the need for improved public transport facilities.
Currently, the main bus stop in Castlebar is located along Stephen Garvey Way, with a stop on either side of the busy road.
At the March meeting of Castlebar Municipal District, concerns were raised that the bus area is no longer fit for purpose.
The location was described as an “accident waiting to happen” by Cllr Harry Barrett, who called on officials to find a site for a sanctioned bus depot in the county town.
He added that the double parking was not suitable and said he was “amazed that a serious accident hasn’t happened”, noting that the area is often busy with school children running over and back across the road.
Both stops are heavily used throughout the day, with several daily services passing through, including the 52 from Ballina to Galway, the 456 from Castlebar to Galway via Westport, the 422 from Castlebar to Headford, and the 420 from Ballina to Castlebar.
Stephen Garvey Way is a busy thoroughfare, with traffic at the end of the road heading toward two main roundabouts on Hopkins Road that lead towards Tesco, Lidl, McDonald’s, and the town centre.
The TF Theatre Royal and Mayo University Hospital are also nearby, adding to traffic in the area.
Cllr Barrett has previously raised concerns about the bus stops, saying they pose a risk to both pedestrians and road users.
He also highlighted the lack of shelter at both stops, which are often busy as passengers gather to wait for their buses.
Senior Engineer at the council, Pat McHale, acknowledged that the Stephen Garvey Way site is “a little curtailed,” but had no further details on potential locations for a new depot.
Also addressing the need for improved public transport facilities in the town, Cllr Donna Sheridan called for a bus stop to be added at the Castlebar Primary Care Centre, saying it would greatly benefit elderly patients and their families.
She also stressed the need for a pedestrian crossing at the centre to improve safety.
The article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.