Controversial plan for busy Mayo roundabout is raising local hackles

Controversial proposals being mooted for one of Mayo's busiest urban roundabouts have been slammed as 'a recipe for traffic disaster'.

The National Transport Authority have put forward plans to radically alter the road design at Cathal Duffy Roundabout at Station Road in Castlebar and erect traffic lights at the location.

It is the authority's intention to convert the roundabout into a signalised crossroad junction - ‘with pedestrians and cyclists crossing at all arms’.

Now local Councillor Michael Kilcoyne is supporting concerns raised by the McHale Road Residents Association in regard to the move, which is the subject of a consultation process.

He stated: "I appreciate where the residents stand on the matter and their reservations need to be taken seriously into consideration."

The residents association have contacted local elected members seeking to retain the roundabout and reject the traffic lights out of hand.

"Lights cause long traffic queues at all hours and they will impact on residents of McHale Road greatly.

"There is no logic in having traffic lights at this location. The ones at the top of Station Road are already causing serious congestion problems."