Call for report on 'dangerous' county Longford crossroads where accidents regularly occur
Cllr Martin Skelly submitted a motion at last week's Ballymahon Municipal District meeting
A councillor has called on the local authority to commission a report on Forthill crossroads Newtowncashel, with a view to access and safety for transport approaching the junction.
Local Fine Gael representative Cllr Martin Skelly (pictured) raised the issue at last week's monthly meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District and submitted a motion.
"This is a dangerous crossroads where accidents repeatedly happen, and action needs to be taken before a really serious collision occurs.
"It is one of the main access roads to Newtowncashel, to Saints island and Barley Harbour," he added.
Cllr Skelly claimed in recent weeks there has been 'two near fatal crashes' and urgent action is required.
The Newtowncashel man said the nature of the cross is that there when a collision occurs the vehicle or vehicles involved 'can end up in a field with a 'six to eight foot drop'.
"It's seriously dangerous, both cars were written off and pushed into the field and it's just very fortunate that nobody was killed," Cllr Skelly, who stated the drop was hidden, added.
There was strong support from councillors and Cllr Mick Cahill said the local authority needed their own budget programme for hedge-cutting.
"There are a few very serious spots around the county.
Longford County Council will consider the appropriate measures for this location and will consider this location for future low cost safety scheme applications.”