Traffic lights to go under cover after vandal attacks

Lights close to national school

SPECIAL covers aimed at preventing further spates of vandalism are to be installed on traffic lights at Cregmore Bridge.

The traffic lights were turned on nearly three years ago to help improve safert on the busy and narrow route.

However, they have been damaged on three occasions, forcing the council to develop measures which they hope will protect the lights.

At last week’s meeting of the Athenry/Oranmore MD, it was announced that covers will be installed on a trial basis and council staff are confident they will stop further damage.

“We used to have a number of safety concerns in this area, several accidents occurred due to blind spots,” Councillor David Collins told The Tuam Herald.

“It took us years to get these lights installed and they have made a big difference, so it is so disappointing seeing them vandalised.

“How would these people feel if someone they knew got injured in an accident due to the lights not operating? I just don’t understand why a person would damage them, but clearly someone doesn’t like them or want them here.

“The bridge is located on the Cregmore Road, which is very busy road near Cregmore National School, so it is vital we have these traffic lights operational. Hopefully these measures are enough to stop people from breaking them again,” he concluded.

A Council official told The Tuam Herald that the covers are expected to be installed over the next three to four weeks.