That Roscommon County Council make an urgent submission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) seeking immediate and comprehensive safety measures at Scramogue Crossroads where the R371 crosses the N5.

This dangerous junction is widely recognized as a major accident blackspot, with fatalities, serious injuries and collisions over the years. There is inadequate signage, road markings, and no public lighting, making it especially dangerous at night.

With the new N5 bypass due to open within 12 months and traffic expected to increase significantly, urgent action is required to prevent further loss of life.

That Roscommon County Council make an urgent submission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) seeking immediate and comprehensive safety measures at Scramogue Crossroads where the R371 crosses the N5. This dangerous junction is widely recognized as a major accident blackspot, with fatalities, serious injuries and  collisions over the years. There is inadequate signage, road markings, and no public lighting, making it especially dangerous at night. With the new N5 bypass due to open within 12 months and traffic expected to increase significantly, urgent action is required to prevent further loss of life.

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:

TII is legally obliged to carry out road safety assessment(s) of the entire national road network in accordance with applicable legislation. The N5 route is subject to this assessment. Based on this ongoing assessment, it is noted that this junction has not been identified as a high collision location.

An analysis of the available road collision data (over the eleven-year period 2014 to 2024 inclusive) indicates that the vast majority of recorded collisions involve material damage only (i.e. no injuries) and occur during daylight hours. Over this period 3 Minor Injury collisions and 12 Material Damage Only collisions were recorded in the immediate vicinity of the junction. All 3 Minor Injury collisions and two thirds (8 no.) of the Material Damage Only collisions occurred during daylight hours. There is no record of any collision involving fatal or serious injury during this period.

An inspection of the road signage and marking at this location has been carried out and confirms that both road markings and road signage at this location are consistent with current requirements. See attached photographs which record existing road markings and road signage on the immediate approaches to the N5 from the R371 Regional Road.

Notwithstanding the above, further improvements to the existing N5 / R371 junction will be undertaken as part of the ongoing N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge project which is scheduled to open to traffic in Q4 2027. The improved junction will comply with current TII Standards and will be subject to road safety audit.

The improved junction will as per current arrangement comprise a Right / Left Staggered Ghost Island Priority junction with right turning lanes for both minor roads (R371). The stagger distance between the minor junction arms will be increased to 50m. The R371 northern arm of the junction will be realigned and a 3m channelising island will be sited at the junction to direct right turning vehicles from the N5 mainline. The R371 southern arm of the junction will be re-graded locally at the junction mouth to tie-in to the new N5. A 3m wide channelising island will be constructed to aid drivers making the right turn from the ghost island on the N5 mainline. Road markings and signage will be provided in accordance with the current Traffic Signs Manual.

Consideration of the requirement for Public Lighting

The provision of public lighting at this location was initially considered as part of the planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 159