On Tuesday the 6th of April last, a notice was erected by Mayo County Council at the dump road junction with the N5. The notice and map stated the councils intention to extinguish the right of way of the access road. This was the first any locals heard of this development. We have attached the notice and map below.
Mayo Co. Council put up a sign on April 6th, 2021 declaring that they wanted to close access to a road that has been in use for decades from the N5 side which is known locally as Maura Bartleys road or the old dump road as a safety issue and that Traffic Infrastructure Ireland requested them to do so. We have not yet seen this on paper.
This was a surprise as 10 years ago the Mayo Co. Co. tried to do this for the same reason. It was shown at the time that this road was not a safety issue as there were no fatalities unlike some of the other roads in the area and the road was left open.
Here they come again this year with the same reason. The road is being used by even more people in the area now and still no accidents. It is a through road from Meelick for people going to work in Kiltimagh, Castlebar, Charlestown and beyond and saves people an unnecessary journey through the town.
It’s also used
- For people going to Applegreen.
- Farmers going to farms in both directions.
- People cycle and walk it.
- Delivery vans are constantly seen on it.
- School runs.
This could affect enrolment in Meelick school as it means having to access roads that are further away. It means that everyone in the area will be inconvenienced in a major way if this happens and the amazing thing is nothing has changed from the last time. Still no safety issues and it seems to be the only road they are closing in the area.
We are requesting people in the Swinford area to send a letter of objection to the Mayo Co. Co. if they use this road. We are happy out if the Mayo Co. Co. want to improve the area in anyway that would increase safety further but we need the road to be left open. Unfortunately all the other roads in the area have had fatalities but why close a road that is not causing any bother. The Lislackagh entrance unfortunately claimed poor Tara Ryan and as a result many feel nervous standing up on the road there. With extra traffic the safety of that entrance/exit will get worse.
We will need your help to convince the Mayo Co. Council to keep our local access road open. Will be putting up separate posts on how you can help over the next few days.
Map of the access road at N5 to be closed