Provision of a Traffic Safety Scheme for Castlerea town to include the creation of two traffic light controlled (signalised) junctions at the Main Street N60/Patrick Street junction, and the Main Street N60/R361 junction with pedestrian crossing facilities at both locations. Provision of new zebra crossings at locations where pedestrian desire lines are currently leading to a high level of uncontrolled street crossings. Upgrade existing pedestrian crossings on Main Street and Patrick Street to current standards and all ancillary works to include footpath improvements, pavement works, traffic signs, road markings, kerbs, street lighting and site clearance works.

Provision of a Traffic Safety Scheme for Castlerea town to include the creation of two traffic light controlled (signalised) junctions at the Main Street N60/Patrick Street junction, and the Main Street N60/R361 junction with pedestrian crossing facilities at both locations. Provision of new zebra crossings at locations where pedestrian desire lines are currently leading to a high level of uncontrolled street crossings. Upgrade existing pedestrian crossings on Main Street and Patrick Street to current standards and all ancillary works to include footpath improvements, pavement works, traffic signs, road markings, kerbs, street lighting and site clearance works.

John Mockler, Senior Engineer outlined the Part 8 procedure as outlined in the Chief Executive’s report as included with the Agenda. The proposed intervention aims to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian safety in Castlerea town. John Mockler read into the record all valid submissions and responses as set out in the Chief Executive’s report.  He stated that the TII are prepared to fund this scheme in the interests of road safety.

A detailed discussion took place and the members raised the following issues:

·         Request for additional off street parking due to the removal of on street parking

·         Request for a town relief bypass road to be looked at as an alternative to this proposal

·         Risk of traffic congestion arising from signalised junctions

·         Concerns regarding the removal of the left turning lane at Hell’s Kitchen

·         Endorsement of proposed pedestrian crossings

·         Concern for how businesses will get deliveries

·         Lack of consideration by the TII for the business community in Castlerea due to the loss of on street parking

·         Requests for the same model as Roscommon town with ample off street parking

John Mockler and John Freeman responded to the issues as raised:

·         The pedestrian crossings and signalised junctions are positive improvements but they take up extra space and as a result parking spaces will be lost

·         The existing car parking spaces are not to any standard at the moment

·         Roscommon County Council are willing to look at the possibility of loading bays but this would remove additional car parking spaces

·         The disability parking being lost at the Old Post Office can be provided elsewhere subject to current standards

·         Provision of off street parking is not a function of the TII and is the responsibility of Roscommon County Council

·         Any potential bypass for Castlerea town would be at least 8 – 10 years away even if the process started immediately

·         There are other car parks around Castlerea town with surplus capacity and this scheme proposes a loss of 20 legitimate car parking spaces

·         Some elements of the proposed scheme are controversial but the proposal aims to improve road safety and make Castlerea town safer for vulnerable road users

·         Acknowledge concerns that people have about this scheme but it is the minimum that is required to address the road safety problem in Castlerea town

·         The remit from the TII was to improve traffic safety in Castlerea town with the junction of St. Patrick’s Street and Main Street stated as a priority

·         The scheme as designed had to comply with current TII standards and provide for adequate sightlines at the junctions and pedestrian crossings

·         The scheme has to be adopted in its entirety and cannot be implemented in fragments

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that the Roscommon County Council write to the TII stating that we support the proposed pedestrian crossings for Castlerea town but that we need to provide them in a way that does not involve a substantial loss of parking.  It was also agreed to ask Roscommon County Council to secure land to provide off street parking for Castlerea town.

Mark Keaveney, Director of Services addressed the meeting and asked the members to be cognisant of the current safety issues in Castlerea town.  He acknowledged that the scheme will involve the loss of on street parking but that other parking was available around the town.  A bypass for Castlerea is probably needed but we do not know if it is a priority for Government and if they will provide funding for it and either way it will take a minimum of 8 years.  The current scheme as proposed is what is required to address the safety issues in Castlerea town and is what the TII will fund.

The members thanked John Freeman and John Mockler and everyone in the Roads Department for their extensive work on this project and understand that the design has to comply with TII standards and regulations.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that the meeting be deferred for five minutes.

The meeting resumed and

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to approve the specified development for a new traffic safety scheme for Castlerea subject to the following conditions-

Accept traffic lights at the N60/R361 junction if the existing filter lane on the R361 is retained.

Accept traffic lights at the N60/R377 junction of Patrick’s Street and Main Street subject to no removal of parking spaces on both sides of the junction on Main Street and no removal of the 3 one hour parking spaces on Patrick’s Street and no changing of the single yellow line on Patricks street to double yellow lines.

Leyland’s Lane, L6557 not to be closed but changed to a one way system going in from the N60.

Accept all new pedestrian crossings and upgrades to existing pedestrian crossings except the pedestrian crossing at the former post office, which is to be retained in its current format.

Calls for Roscommon County Council and the TII to invest in off street parking to allow additional works in the future.

John Mockler, Senior Engineer agreed to pass all information on to the TII but informed the members that Roscommon County Council could not deliver traffic lights at the junction of St. Patrick’s Street without loss of parking and therefore it was unlikely that the TII would fund the scheme.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Ryan and request funding to provide off street parking for Castlerea town.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Ryan and request funding for a relief road for Castlerea town.