Dundalk's Keelan calls for removal of right hand turn at McEntee Ave
Dundalk Municipal District March meeting
Cllr Conor Keelan has called on Louth County Council to remove the right hand turn from McEntee Avenue onto the Carrickmacross Road, and to direct traffic wishing to turn right, to instead turn left and go around the roundabout at the Crescent in order to travel out the Carrick Road.
The Dundalk-Carlingford councillor's motion at the Dundalk Municipal District, stated: "That the engineers remove the right-hand turn from McEntee Avenue/Harp Lager Hill with immediate effect in the interest of road safety and better traffic flow in the area and encourage relevant traffic to migrate left to the Crescent roundabout and then take the turn if required."
Replying to Cllr Keelan's motion, Director of Service, Placemaking & Physical Development, Mr David Jones, said that: "Further to this request for a junction realignment on the Carrickmacross Road, (Regional Road, R178), please note Louth County Council Active Travel Section has received funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to advance a Scheme which will provide cycle paths and upgraded footpaths along this section of the R178.
"This Scheme will also include junction upgrades and provision of traffic calming to provide a safer environment for both pedestrian and cyclist movements. Part 8 Planning approval will be required to deliver the Scheme and this process is likely to commence later in 2024.
"The Part 8 Planning process includes a Public Consultation Process where members of the public can make submissions outlining their comments on the proposals."
At the March meeting, Cllr Keelan said he failed to see how the Active Travel plans impacts on his proposal, which he said was a safety measure.
Responding to Cllr Keelan, Director of Strategic Economic Development, Mr Thomas McEvoy, said Mr Jones, had given his response to Cllr Keelan's proposal but added that he saw merit in the proposal.
Mr McEvoy added that in his response to Cllr Keelan, Mr Jones may have been putting forward that the best way to address the issue would be to address everything at the same time through the Part 8 Planning approval for the Active Travel Scheme.