Glynn pushes for new crossing on Lynn Road

A strong case exists for having a pedestrian crossing installed on the Lynn Road, the cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Ken Glynn told members of the council executive at the February meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

He was proposing the provision of a crossing close to the O’Brien’s Centra/Bracken Butchers entrance.

The council has agreed to examine the issue after Cllr Glynn disputed the official response to his motion, which stated that it was not warranted.

Cllr Glynn reminded officials that the road was now a main thoroughfare into Mullingar, that there are many businesses on the road – and many children walking that route to get to the two new schools opened there.

“The Lynn Road has changed,” he stated, going on to argue that the council needed to take cognisance of that fact.

He also added that at night there is quite a problem with speeding traffic, and he said he has brought this to the attention of Superintendent Murray at Mullingar Garda station.

Support for Cllr Glynn’s call came from Cllr Denis Leonard and from the mayor, Bill Collentine. Cllr Leonard was of the view that because of the presence of two schools, it would be advisable to examine the need for safety works

“I walk there myself sometimes and it’s a very busy road, and crossing is difficult and dangerous and it does need to be looked at,” stated the mayor.

Director of services, Martin Murray, said the council does intend to look at improving the infrastructure that links that area with the town side, However, he continued, there were pedestrian crossings on the new roads at the school, and provision of a crossing near O’Brien’s would not be justified.

Cllr Glynn persisted, saying the plea had come not from businesses in the area, but from the residents. He agreed that “fantastic work” had been done at the schools, but that this did not meet the requirements of those needing to cross the Lynn Road.

Mr Murray said he acknowledged there had been an increase in traffic levels and in the light of the points raised, he would arrange for the issue to be re-examined.

Footbridge

A further issue raised by Cllr Glynn at the meeting related to the section of footpath at the bridge between Daly’s Filling Station on the Lynn Road and Fox’s Fruit and Veg in Mullingar Business Park in the interests of pedestrian safety.

Cllr Glynn said the path there was very narrow and that anyone in a wheelchair or pushing a buggy had no choice but to go on to the road.

“This would require a footbridge,” the council reply stated, and Mr Murray was of the view that it would be a suitable project that could qualify for Active Travel funding.

Flooding

Cllr Glynn, at the same meeting, drew officials’ attention to a flooding problem under the Railway Bridge at Clonmore, which, he said, is resulting in pedestrians getting soaked.

The response stated that remedial works have been arranged for that location, and district engineer Dr Paul McCool stated that the work has actually been done, and the solution came in the form of an extra gully.