Works sought at dangerous junctions by Longford County Council

A Fine Gael councillor has called on Longford County Council to implement a Low-Cost Safety Scheme (LCSS) at the 'dangerous' Gelsha junction and secondly to seek climate adaptation funding for the R198 at Corinagha junction.

Cllr Garry Murtagh submitted two roads-related motions, which were discussed at the recent meeting of Granard Municipal District.

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He described in relation to his first motion, how he feels there is a safety issue at Gelsha junction.

"Particularly when you are coming from Bunlahy there is a high rise on the road, I know there was safety works done there in the past but in recent years with tarmac and road repairs being carried out it's quite blinding to see the traffic now, it's a dangerous junction," he added.

The motion was seconded by his party colleague Cllr Pádraig McNamara.

District Engineer Joe Gorman said Longford County Council will ‘explore the possibility’ of including this location in the application for Low-Cost Safety Scheme for 2026.

However, the local authority stated in a response read by Mr Gorman that initial examinations suggested it would be 'difficult and too expensive to carry out'.

Cllr Murtagh responded and said ‘you cannot put a price on life but every journey starts with a small step'.

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Speaking about his second motion and his request to seek climate adaptation funding, Cllr Murtagh said the required work on the R198 should include 'improvements to sight lines and the widening of the junction'.

"When you are turning off the R198 to go up towards Corinagha there the road is very narrow and it needs to be widened."

The motion was seconded by Cllr David Cassidy who described it as a good motion. Councillors were informed the location was a 'high priority' for the climate adaptation funding scheme in 2026-2027.