Pedestrian and cycle lanes needed between Ballyhaunis and Knock

AONTÚ Mayo candidate Paul Lawless is calling on Mayo County Council to expand the roads from Knock to Ballyhaunis, and from Knock to Kiltimagh Knock United soccer pitch, to include pedestrian and cycle lanes.

There is a huge volume of traffic on the R323 Ballyhaunis to Knock Road. There is also a significant number of pedestrians and cyclists on this route for various reasons, including the employment of hundreds of people in Western Brand Chickens, the 1,500 plus hours of games in the GAA Centre of Excellence each year, the 1,200 weekly visitors to Kiltimagh Knock, as well as the millions of visitors to Knock Shrine every year. The Western Care Association, who use the Kiltimagh Knock's clubhouse as a day care facility also require safe access to Knock village for their service users, he said.

In particular, there is a huge number of children walking/cycling from Knock village to Kiltimagh Knock United Club on a daily basis.

“This road is far too dangerous for this,” said Mr. Lawless. “The council needs to prioritise investment in this short stretch of circa one kilometre (without a footpath) as a matter of urgency.

“Great work was done in installing cycle lanes and footpaths in the village of Balla as well in linking Kiltimagh with the graveyard. We are asking for the same to be done here.

“Such an investment would make a massive difference to both Ballyhaunis and Knock. We cannot wait for a serious injury or fatality on our roads before taking action.”