Council must address 'traffic backlog' at Irishtown, says local election candidate

Sinn Féin local election candidate in Mullingar town Julie McCourt has expressed "frustration" and "concern" over what she says is "the backlog of traffic at the Irishtown Roundabout every weekday morning".

Ms McCourt's comments come as vehicular traffic is often backed up as far as Robinstown as parents and workers attempt to access the town via the Harbour Bridge area of Mullingar.

“Again, this morning I seen first hand the level of vehicular traffic accumulated along this road. Parents trying to get their children to school, workers trying to get to their jobs and vehicles trying to deliver stock into our businesses are all caught, not only at that roundabout, but further out along Robinstown.

“It is the responsibility of Westmeath County Council to ensure that immediate steps are taken to address this issue.

“For several years, the issues with traffic flow at this roundabout have been spoken about but no definitive action taken to actually improve it.

“It is now at a point, where workers from as far as Multyfarnham have expressed frustration to me and tell me that they are leaving their homes earlier and earlier to get to work to avoid this stand still traffic. Parents, with no option but to drive their children to school are at their wits end.

“Everybody has a right to feel safe on our roads, and while traffic like this exists, there will be no increase in cycling or walking as the road traffic is not moving and there are no safe crossing areas for the patients and staff of the Hospital.

“Today I have written to the executive of Westmeath County Council calling on them to undertake an immediate traffic survey and to examine all potential solutions including upgrading the zebra crossing at Loreto to a pedestrian lights system and the installation of a new designated crossing, similar to the one at St Mary's campus at the existing island at the main entrance to the hospital.

“Westmeath County Council must get to grips with this as a matter of urgency.”