Irish Cycle Facility of the Week

September 1, 2014:

IMG_9890

Picture this: You’re using the old road to cycle out of Sligo town to avoid the parallel new N4 route which has faster and more motor traffic. Then — as you’re cycling straight on — you’re diverted into the four-lane roundabout exit at the Carraroe Retail Park: The right-angle turn onto the crossing point means that you are made come to a full stop, and you’re left to cross the four lanes with a central-island which does not look wide enough for a singe bicycle.

Roundabout designed for speed for motor traffic. No raised crossing. Not even crossing markings across the roadway or warning signs for motorists.

Just beyond the retail park, there’s a ton of houses within a 4km distance from the centre of the town. An easy cycling distance, made uneasy and inconvenient by bad design.

Image: IrishCycle.com
Location: Carraroe Retail Park, Sligo
Local body/authority: Sligo Borough Council / Sligo County Council
Street View: Currently shows same design before red colouring added

Send suggestions to hello@irishcycle.com. And make sure to view the original and UK-focused facility of the month page on Warrington Cycle Campaign’s website.


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5 comments

  1. Could we start naming (and shaming) the designers of these schemes?
    Who undertook the road safety audit process and could we see the sign-off?
    Did Sligo CoCo post the road safety audit on its web-site?
    [More importantly did the auditor cycle the scheme under a variety of traffic conditions?]
    Local Councillors – this is done in your name. Do you understand this?

    Reply
  2. I think that’s a great idea. Road Designer Idiot of the Year Award. the only problem is that there is likely to be a lot of candidates and only one award. As for not caring, well I thing some of these guys with big earnings tend to have fragile egos, so it’s worth a pop.

    Reply

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