Junction at Cloonakilla national school "not fit for purpose"

The road layout outside Cloonakilla National School in Bealnamulla was described as “one of the most dangerous places in South Roscommon, if not in the entire county” by Cllr Laurence Fallon at the October meeting of Roscommon County Council this week.

Picture: Cloonakilla national school

Cllr Fallon, who is Cathaoirleach of the Council, strongly backed a call from Cllr John Naughten for a roundabout to be provided outside the school as a matter of urgency to alleviate congestion and improve safety in the area.

The Council’s Director of Services for Roads, Shane Tiernan, admitted that providing a roundabout at the location “would be a challenge” and added that there would be difficulties from both an environmental and land point of view.

Mr. Tiernan said the council had received a roads allocation of €250,000 from the Department of Transport to carry out detailed assessments in the area. “But we could easily sink €200,000 on this project alone so we have to make a conscious decision on how we invest that money,” he said.

Cllr Naughten said the junction outside Cloonakilla is “not fit for purpose” and is unable to cater for current levels of traffic since the new school was built. “The whole road network in this area needs to be examined as a matter of urgency and the building of a roundabout is absolutely vital,” he said.