'PR disaster' as efforts made to ease traffic issues arising from N58 Mayo road closure

MOTORISTS impacted by bridge replacement works in Straide, on the N58, are being encouraged to use the official diversion route.

Many are taking a shortcut on the L-17141 local road instead, resulting in traffic concerns for residents, with the lack of consultation with the community in advance of the project being branded a 'PR disaster'.

Mayo County Council has installed a number of laybys on the local road to help vehicles move past each other, with extra signage also installed at closure points, and the situation will be monitored.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne had the matter on the agenda for the September meeting of Mayo County Council when he tabled a motion calling on the chief executive to deal with the dangerous situation that has developed as a result of the closure.

It was unacceptable that a narrow road is being used for a detour, he said, though he noted that laybys have been put in place since residents first raised concerns.

However, he failed to understand why these things couldn't be agreed before the scheme started. The policy should be to have discussions with local people and councillors to know what the problems are, he said.

The councillor requested further discussions with locals, noting works are to be finished by Christmas, but that's a long way off.

He accepted there has been progress since he submitted his motion but he wanted more done.

There is an issue with speed on the official diversion, via the R321 from Ballylahan to Bohola and the N5, Councillor Neil Cruise highlighted, and he didn't know if it was a fit diversion, with over-hanging trees also an issue on the route.

Councillor Cruise was also 'a little wary' about the length of the contract, which is scheduled to finish on December 8. He asked if it is possible to have double shifts, working day and night, to get it done.

It was a PR disaster for the council that there was no meeting in the community centre, commented Councillor Blackie Gavin, where peope would have been briefed. It has caused a lot of disruption and anger for residents, he said, agreeing that the job should be speeded up.

Councillor Ger Deere also agreed that there should have been a lot more planning put into it.

A detailed report was given to the members by director of services David Mellett who explained that the closure is necessary to facilitate the replacement of Straide Bridge, addressing structural deficiencies in the existing bridge and ensuring its long-term safety.

The existing bridge has now been demolished and is being replaced with a new structure incorporating piled foundations, a new bridge deck, new stone parapets and improved road approaches. The opportunity has also been taken in the design to improve the overall performance of the crossing.

The route carries approximately 6,500 vehicles per day. Given the volume, the diversion route was established via the N5 and R321 rather than local roads.

This has generally operated satisfactorily, however it has been identified that a minority of drivers are not following the signed diversion and are instead using the L-17141 as a shortcut, resulting in increased traffic volumes on a road intended primarily for local access and generating understandable concerns for residents, particularly with the return of school.

In response, additional signage was provided at the closure points and a joint assessment was undertaken by Mayo County Council and the contractor. This resulted in the installation of five passing bays at suitable locations along the L-17141 to improve passing opportunities and assist local traffic movements.

The effectiveness of these measures continues to be monitored and any further interventions considered necessary and justified will be implemented where practicable.

While the works and associated traffic management arrangements present challenges in the short term, they are necessary to facilitate the delivery of a project that will provide long-term safety, accessibility and flood resilience benefits for the area.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme