Time to get real about death traps in Frenchpark area

Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/ Galway Eugene Murphy has called for urgent action in relation to a number of dangerous visibility issues throughout the county including ongoing issues on the Frenchpark to Ballinagare road, the Frenchpark junction and Scramogue Cross.

Following 29 accidents on a dangerous bend between Frenchpark and Ballinagare since April 2015 there has been widespread concern and calls for action. Deputy Murphy has called for immediate action on this stretch of road saying: “Flashing amber lights and a barrier need to be erected on this stretch of road immediately and there also needs to be extra illumination on that particular stretch of road. There are also ongoing concerns about Frenchpark junction and Scramogue Cross which are death traps while there are also real safety concerns in the Rathcroghan area and the number of accidents along this entire stretch of road is evidence that this route has been completely neglected”.

The Fianna Fail Deputy also highlighted the fact that a number of cars had been involved in collisions in the Farnbeg area of Strokestown. Deputy Murphy urged motorists to report accidents however minor to their local Garda Station as such accident reports could go some way towards strengthening the case to the Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

“The TII can claim there are no Garda records if all of these minor traffic accidents are not reported so it’s very important that no matter how small a collision or accident occurs people should report the matter to local Gardai as all of those accident reports will strengthen the argument for urgent action,” said Deputy Murphy.

“Numerous motorists and constituents in the Frenchpark area have contacted me in relation to the ongoing issues at Frenchpark junction and the Frenchpark to Ballinagare road- this is a national primary route and many people are scared to death driving through these areas as they are death traps and urgent action is needed to address the situation,” said Deputy Murphy.

Deputy Murphy said that these stretches of road had been completely ignored and neglected by the Government and the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) formerly known as the National Roads Authority- “ The whisperings about a by-pass are a long way off reality and it’s time for the idle talk to stop –it’s time to get real about road safety,” concluded Deputy Murphy.