Stacking lanes frustration on east Mayo bypass

MOTORISTS on the N5 Swinford bypass are frustrated that some road turn-offs have stacking lanes and others don't.

The fact they cannot be put in place is 'mindboggling', Councillor Adrian Forkan told council management at a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting.

Speed cameras to improve safety on the road are coming on stream around now.

Councillor Forkan said he had held a meeting with a concerned local group about the Swinford bypass. He told council management how they cannot understand how there are stacking lanes for Kilbride and the turn for Cullane, yet there are none at Applegreen and the Kilkelly Road despite the road being the same width as the other two locations.

“The fact they cannot be put in there is mindboggling,” he stated, pointing out the amount of traffic on the route and the speed it travels at.

Senior engineer Conrad Harley said TII manage national roads. They are the decision makers and provide funding.

Councillor Forkan said €300,000 was allocated for two junction upgrades in October '23 'and there hasn't been one iota that people can see'. Maybe there is something in place, he continued, but people see no change. The Applegreen, Kilkelly and Culmore junctions are all in serious need of attention, he added.