There will be no short-term changes to traffic flow in Sligo despite long-running complaints about the difficulty for drivers travelling between the eastern and western parts of the town.
For many motorists, the main complaints include the inability to drive from JFK Parade into Thomas Street and the illegality of driving from Abbey Street into Castle Street.
The issue arose at yesterday’s meeting of councillors from the Sligo Municipal District when Sinn Fein Cllr Chris MacManus asked if there were any proposals regarding traffic management at the Abbey Street/Castle Street junction.
He said the natural flow of traffic was from John F Kennedy Parade into Thomas Street, and from Abbey Street into Castle Street, but this was not allowed.
He pointed out that traffic from Abbey Street going across town has to turn up into Teeling Street, up Old Market Street, to the Mail Coach Road area and then down into the centre of Sligo, which was a circuitious route.
He said this affected residents going to and from the Lower East Ward area as well as shoppers going to and from stores such as Dunnes and Lidl.
He asked if traffic could be allowed exit from JFK Parade into Thomas Street, with no exit from Abbey Street.
However, councillors were told there were no plans at present to change traffic arrangements.
They also heard that in time, traffic was likely to change when the new eastern bridge across the Garavogue was built.
Cllr, MacManus said this could be some time away and he wondered if consideration could be given to an interim measure.
However, an engineer told the meeting that traffic exiting at JFK Parade was not the answer because in order to go into Castle Street, it had to cross the road to get into the right lane.
In addition, it’s believed the council is not keen so see more traffic going into O ‘Connell Street as work is due to start on enhancing the town’s main street at the end of April.
