Council agrees to flagmen for Moycullen roadworks
Flagmen will be stationed at the roadworks in Moycullen during periods of heavy traffic, the local authority has confirmed, following complaints about gridlock.
Galway County Council and contractors working on the construction of a section of the Moycullen bypass have agreed to put in place flag-men to help the flow of traffic during busy times.
There was a stop-go system in operation on Sunday due the high volume of traffic along the N59 – and the high number of complaints from local businesses because of the delays, which are impacting on trade.
Galway West TD Seán Kyne has welcomed the flagmen at the roadworks, and says that they are on schedule to be finished by November.
The Fine Gael Deputy said: “I have been in regular contact with the Council and the contractors regarding the traffic disruption. The present volume is due to the increased tourist traffic to and from Connemara.
“Following concerns from all local public representatives the Director of Services for Roads and Transportation at Galway County Council has decided that flag men will be operating at weekends as long as traffic volumes dictate the need. Flag men operated last Sunday due to the high volume of traffic.
“Given the scale of the upgrade to the N59 on the approach to Moycullen some disruption is inevitable and unavoidable. However with flag men working during busy times at weekends as well as during the week I hope the disruption will be kept to a minimum. The investment will benefit all road users when it is complete – the works are on schedule and are due to finish in November.”
Last week, the issue came to a head with a number of businesses complaining the roadworks are putting a strain on business and driving shoppers away.
Wrapsody, a gift shop in An Fuarán, is closing after eight years in business. Proprietor, Mary O’Toole, said the roadworks were partly to blame for the closure.
Galway County Councillor Noel Thomas (FF) said the works have caused traffic “chaos”, and he has been inundated with complaints.
The 1.2km scheme along the N59 Galway to Clifden Road involves widening the road from near the Kylebroghlan Road and tying into the existing road at a location approximately 300m east of the Clydagh Bridge. The works include the installation of cycle lanes, footpaths and lighting. Work on a bypass for the village is expected to follow once funding has been secured.