Galway County Council is to get a full assessment of the impact of a second mini-roundabout in Loughrea to replace the Westbridge lights which are causing lengthy tailbacks for motorists.

The lights at the main entrance to the town off the bypass have been criticised for creating traffic jams at all times of the day and night and causing shoppers to avoid the town.

Councillor Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher (FG) said when the lights were out of order there were no snarl-ups and he urged executive engineer Gerard Haugh to investigate a mini-roundabout for the junction, similar to the one at the other end of the town near several primary schools.

He said if a roundabout was installed it should not be coupled with closing down streets such as Abbey Terrace or it would put traders such as Londis out of business.

Cllr Michael Regan (FF) agreed that a roundabout should be examined and there should be speed ramps installed at the entrances to every village and town to thwart speeding motorists.

Taxpayers were spending money on digital speed signs which were having no effect on slowing down traffic.

Mr Haugh said they had introduced extra loops on several roads leading to the junction but it had not worked as the consultants hired to oversee the lights had hoped.

“We are talking about a number of options to maximise the junction and we’re looking at reversing the direction of some one ways…when lights are out traffic moves very quickly but that’s not necessarily helping vulnerable road users.”

Cllr Declan Kelly (Ind) said speed ramps and static speed cameras were needed at many locations. He recalled that a car had passed him out in a 50kph zone at Woodpark, Portumna doing up to 120kph and the driver flipped the car on its roof.

Cllr Jimmy McClearn said considerable taxpayers’ money had been spent on calming measures in Kilreekle but residents were complaining that they were not working.

There had been a number of pedestrians knocked down as well as a few misses at a belisha beacon crossing on Portumna’s Main Street as motorists were not stopping, claimed Cllr Ivan Canning (FF). He asked the Council to get a costing for a lighted pedestrian crossing which forced drivers to stop on a red light.

Mr Haugh said the Council was going to install speed ramps on Abbey Street at a cost of €18,000 but it was not an option they could progress all over the county due to funding.

The belisha beacon crossing was used when there were lower number of pedestrians and traffic on a road and it was his preference as it gave responsibility to the pedestrian as well as the motorist to be alert to road conditions.

A pedestrian crossing with lights generally cost €50,000 to install, more expensive than the beacon crossings, he stated.

Pictured left: Cllr Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher…call for change. Photo: Brian Harding. Right: Cllr Declan Kelly…more speed ramps and static speed cameras.