Councillors in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District are open to the idea of extinguishing the right of way at the Carrowbaun road that leads onto the N5 near Swinford, but want to see a bridge put in place to deal with safety issues at the Swinford and Kiltimagh junctions on to the road first.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII ) have requested that the council extinguish the existing right of way on the Carrowbaun road to allow for safety improvements at the next two junctions, one which leads to Swinford and the other to Kiltimagh.
Fianna Fáil Cllr John Caulfield said that he wanted to see action on all the junctions on the Swinford bypass as until then "people would be playing Russian roulette with their lives" when they turn off of Kiltimagh and at other junctions. He went on to say there have been a number of fatalities on this stretch of road and the current plan was just a sticking plaster for the issues. Cllr Caulfield spoke of the fear that local people have when they hear on the radio or read that the there is a road closure on the road - if a family member has just left for for work or is due to be arriving home from work and hasn't done so yet.
Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray pointed out that a new bridge had been developed to address similar concerns on the N17 at Lisduff, which had been fast-tracked and similar solutions needed to be found for this location. The elected members deferred their decision until they could get feedback and clarification on a number of issues for their next meeting.
