Controversial road works in Frenchpark are to be paused by Roscommon County Council after significant public outcry.
Concern was expressed last week after the Council, in conjunction with the TII, implemented speed reduction measures at the junction of the N5 and R361.
The local authority was criticized for not consulting locals in advance of the works with residents concerned over the impact the works were having on traffic flow and a loss of parking. The Council has issued a statement this morning, confirming that it has paused works pending a further external review to ensure all safety concerns are addressed in accordance with standard procedures.
It hopes the review will be carried out in the next two weeks.
The Council has also confirmed that the works began after concerns were raised over the speed of vehicles coming from Boyle along the R361 to the intersection of the N5 and that due to their size it did not require planning permission or a period of public consultation. Despite criticism, the Council is satisfied that their design accords with appropriate principals and was developed with a view to slowing down traffic as it approaches the N5 while also allowing greater space for vulnerable road users.
The Council also claims the new Frenchpark scheme was designed to maximise street car parking that could be facilitated within the area available to the design team.
The full statement from the Council is below:
In a statement, Roscommon County Council say they are actively working on proposals with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) to address safety concerns raised by its members at the junction of the N5/R361 in Frenchpark. Funding has been secured and a design is imminent. The local authority say that following a review of the location it was observed the approach speed of vehicles coming from Boyle along the R361 to the intersection of the N5 in the village, was a concern.
Roscommon County Council acknowledges the scheme represents a change to the layout of the street scape at this location. To deliver these safety improvements, a small quantity of on-street parking has been reassigned.
Funding for the project was sourced from the Department of Transport under the Low Cost Safety Scheme with works commencing in the last two weeks. The proposed scheme, due to its size and nature does not require Part 8 planning permission and therefore was not advertised to the public.
The Council’s Roads and Transportation Unit in response prepared a design in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS). These measures seek to reduce the speed of oncoming traffic while also making the junction with the L5638 safer for vulnerable road users.
Roscommon County Council is satisfied their design accords with the principals of DMURS with a view to slowing down traffic as it approaches the N5 while also allowing greater space for vulnerable roads users.
On foot of the works commencing, local residents and business owners expressed concerns regarding the scheme to elected members and staff of the Boyle Municipal District, many of which have since been addressed.
Roscommon County Council has paused works pending a further external review to ensure all safety concerns are addressed in accordance with standard procedures. It is hoped the review will be carried out in the next two weeks.
The new Frenchpark scheme, the local authority emphasises, was designed to maximise street car parking that could be facilitated within the area available to the design team. (ENDS).
