IMPROVED streetscapes throughout Castletownbere were applauded by Cllr Caroline Cronin, but the Fine Gael councillor said the worst junction in the town is still in need of improvement.

New footpaths and the laying of black tar throughout the town has certainly improved the appearance of the busy fishing village, Cllr Cronin stated at a meeting of the West Cork Municipal District.

But she said there’s a pressing need to provide better traffic management and safety measures at the junction in front of the SuperValu supermarket.

‘This junction must be prioritised,’ Cllr Cronin stated before calling on officials to devise and implement a long-term solution.

The councillor was of the opinion that a clearly defined route from the junction to the town square is needed, and she suggested that a raised pedestrian crossing should be installed as close as possible to the entrance to the supermarket.

‘This junction is often chaotic,’ she said. At the entrance to the town centre, it regularly becomes congested with traffic, creating serious risks for pedestrians.

‘Shoppers leaving SuperValu, often with full trolleys, young children, or mobility aids, find it difficult to cross the road safely.

‘Elderly residents and wheelchair users are especially disadvantaged,’ she added, ‘because there is no safe crossing point.

Not only would traffic management and safety measures greatly improve access for vulnerable pedestrians, she said it would serve as a traffic calming measure and improve the appearance of the approach road into the heart of the town.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) concurred that the SuperValu junction is extremely busy.

‘People come out laden with goods and have to negotiate oncoming traffic and cross a junction that has an uneven surface to get to the car park on the other side.

‘The junction, as it stands, is very dangerous – not just for pedestrians but for motorists too,’ he concluded.