Letter to the editor: thoughts on a traffic survey for Mullingar

Editor,

I note that Westmeath County Council has engaged a consultancy firm to undertake another traffic survey of our town.

I trust the same mistakes which were made for the last traffic management survey will not be repeated, such as doing the survey only on the Friday of the October bank holiday weekend, when extra traffic would have been expected.

I see that the idea is to try to finalise the transport assessment by the end of the year – which is far too long, a few months should be enough.

There will be consultations with the public, which I assume will include the retailers and not just Mullingar Chamber.

The survey should be undertaken over the seven days of the week in all weathers, from at least 7am to 7pm and not during school holiday time.

Walking and cycling should be encouraged, but remember, in Ireland it rains on average 250 days out of the 365 days in the year.

I hope the traffic survey will produce useful information and not just the answers the council executive want.

Living in the centre of Mullingar, I see a number of simple adjustments which would help the traffic flow easier.

Yours,

Des Walsh,

14 Oliver Plunkett Street,

Mullingar.