Sligo road ‘seriously in need of traffic calming and pedestrian crossing’ as new 51-unit housing scheme approved

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County Council have granted planning permission to Eminence Homes Ltd for the purpose of a new residential development that includes 51 new dwelling units at Cairns Road, Cornageeha, Sligo.

The development will consist of eight, four-bedroom houses; 26, three-bedroom houses; nine, two-bedroom houses; four, two-bedroom apartments and four, one-bedroom apartments.

Permission has also been granted for associated private, communal and public open spaces, signage, the demolition of an existing shed remnants, works to site boundaries, the creation of new pedestrian link and access road, associated car and bicycle parking, service connections and all other associated site works and services.

Submissions to the development were lodged with the Local Authority, with one expressing concern regarding “The increased traffic volume on Cairns Road which is seriously in need of traffic calming and a pedestrian crossing.

In her submission Joan Swift, a Cairns Road resident who is the Public Participation Network (PPN) representative on Sligo County Council’s Placemaking Strategic Policy Committee (SPN), expressed the view that, “The traffic plan within the new estate is also a cause for concern. A 30 km hour speed limit is not adequate where children will be crossing to the central play area with cars driving, reversing and parking.

“It may be Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) compliant but it is not in line with the Sligo County Council’s Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) Goals of health, sustainability and being a leader in Climate Action.”

TP Canning, also a Cairns Road resident, expressed his objection to the development.

In his submission he stated, “The junction of Cairns Rd, Pearse Rd, Cemetery Rd is complex at the best of times and leads to over capacity at certain times. This situation will only deteriorate when the Eastern Bridge over the Garavogue comes into operation which is due in a very short number of years. Cemetery Rad will be a feeder route to this bridge.”

Mr Canning’s submission continued: “The internal roads in this proposed development link to the Cairns Road creating a staggered junction. Staggered junctions are more suitable in rural areas. Urban junctions are better suited to crossroads where traffic signal controls are simpler and easier to install when traffic volumes require.”

A submission signed by four residents of Newgrove Housing Estate raised concerns regarding a proposed pedestrian access through Newgrove Housing and they asked that permission not be granted for this aspect of the development.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.