Traffic situation impacting trade in north Mayo town

SHOPPERS from the wider hinterland in Sligo are avoiding Ballina because of the traffic situation.

Traffic is 'bad', Councillor John O'Hara told a meeting of Mayo County Council, and whatever way you come in there's a queue. At certain times it's nearly an hour.

Land has been frozen for an eastern bypass for the last 35 years and he asked how do they get it on the list.

Businesses are complaining that people are leaving town. They are losing Sligo trade from Tubbercurry and Ballymote which always came in to Ballina.

Councillor O'Hara asked the chief executive what direction do they have to go to get a new bridge across the Moy.

“Get us on the list,” he implored, and some day it will come. Without it, Ballina will lose out big time.

He was told discussions have taken place with TII and they understand the importance of it, with a formal submission made for funding next year to put it on the programme. It is also on the agenda for an upcoming meeting with TII.

Locally, a study is to be done in the town to look at short-term options to try and improve traffic.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme