“Accident waiting to happen” – Concerns raised around Gort junction

The junction at Hennelly’s Corner in Gort has been described as an “accident waiting to happen” by Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara.

A pedestrian crossing was installed on the Loughrea Road side of the junction over a year and a half ago, but O’Hara says that this has not addressed the safety issues, and called for further measures to be implemented.

O’Hara said that he has been contacted by residents in Gort in relation to the junction at Hennelly’s Corner, which is a busy area with a large volume of traffic passing through every day.

“A year and a half ago a pedestrian crossing was installed on the Loughrea Road side. However this crossing has not addressed the safety issues there and is not being used by some people crossing as it is quite far back from the junction,” said Louis O’Hara.

He said it was a “hugely dangerous junction” with many HGVs using it and hundreds of students from the community school cross here daily during the school year.

“Pedestrians and drivers often can’t see each other when cars are turning onto the Loughrea Road and there have been a number of near misses in recent times with cars taking the turn at speed.

“A year and a half after the installation of the pedestrian crossing a road safety audit still has not been completed. Having raised this issue with the County Council, they are putting off making any changes until the new Gort Local Transport Plan is finalised.

“That isn’t good enough, this is an accident waiting to happen. At a very minimum traffic lights are urgently needed to slow down traffic and improve safety, as was initially promised by the Council a number of years ago. In the medium term a full redesign of the junction should be carried out to ease congestion and improve safety.

“We can’t wait another year and a half or for a serious incident to take place for something to be done about this issue, and Sinn Féin will continue to pursue this with the County Council.”