Two recent accidents at west Mayo bridge

THE need to improve safety at the three bridges at Cashel in Achill has again been raised by Councillor Paul McNamara.

The third bridge is where the accidents are happening, he told a municipal district meeting, with another two having occurred since the council last met.

Councillor McNamara said he had received an email from the local garda station where they outlined all the times they have been called out to accidents and it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.

People who know the area will give way to traffic, he continued, but tourists think two vehicles can pass and that is when accidents occur.

'Chunks' have been taken out of the bridge, with stones displaced.

Councillor McNamara said it amazed him how the bridge in Tonragee had been hit, with the whole side taken out.

It was made safe with bollards but had since been rebuilt after being demolished.

“Is it the case that the only way we will replace the Cashel bridge is if the bridge goes in an accident,” he asked.

Municipal head Padraic Walsh said Cashel required the road to be realigned and bridges widened.

They would be only too delighted to deliver the project if funding was available.

The bridges would be on a county list put to the department and gradually would move up it.

He would highlight the issue with the head of roads who is charged with developing the priority list and pushing for funding.