Concerns raised about access to polling station

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ballinasloe polling station access galway daily

Access to a polling station in Ballinasloe town is being reviewed by Galway County Council after concerns were raised about accessibility.

Works are currently ongoing in the town, with some parts of Society Street being cordoned off with fencing.

As a result, there is no parking available on either side of the street at St. Grellan’s Scoil an Chroi Naofa and it may be more difficult for some voters to gain access to the polling station.

Councillor Aisling Dolan raised the matter with staff working in the Municipal District offices in Ballinasloe.

The Fine Gael candidate in Roscommon-Gawaly said she has spoken to the Senior Executive Engineer at Ballinasloe Municipal District about the concerns.

He has said that work will be reduced at Sarsfields Road to reduce the waiting time at
the traffic lights at the corner junction.

“The contractors carrying out the work will have two people on site to assist with entry and exit to the polling station at St Grellan’s,” said Cllr Dolan.

“It will be possible to let people with mobility difficulties out at the pedestrian crossing close to Scoil an Chroi Naofa on Society Street, to ensure older members of our community have more ease of access if needed.

“There is wheelchair access along the footpath from the old library car park, also a car park at Barrett’s and space near The Emerald Ballroom for parking.”

The polls open at 07.00 on Saturday and will close at 22:00 and Galway County Council’s website has a list of polling stations.