Louth Councillor seeks safety measures at Mount Avenue junctions

Cllr Seán Kelly has called on Louth County Council to install additional safety measures at two junctions leading to residential areas on Mount Avenue in Dundalk, to allay concerns of local residents.

In a motion from Cllr Kelly at the Dundalk Municipal District March meeting, Cllr Kelly called on Louth County Council to, "amend the current plans in place for the road layout at Mount Avenue and install additional safety measures at two junctions with existing residential areas.

"That they will consider all options sent to them by concerned residents and carry out the works deemed necessary to improve both road user/pedestrian safety and improve sight lines on both of the following junctions: 1. The Rise/The Paddocks with Mount Avenue, and 2. Headford with Mount Avenue.

"Furthermore that Louth County Council will ensure that the road when completed will fully comply with standards set out by TII/DMURS guidelines where they recommend a sightline of 70 metres for a 50km speed zone in a built-up area. Finally, that as new residential developments progress on this road in the future that the Council will continue to engage with  local residents and install, if necessary additional safety measures."

DMURS stands for Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets. Commissioned by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, together with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, it seeks to put well-designed streets at the heart of sustainable communities and supports boarder government policies on the environment, planning and transportation.

DMURS replaces existing national design standards that will be used throughout all urban areas in Ireland when designing/upgrading roads and streets.

Replying to Cllr Kelly's motion, Director of Placemaking & Physical Development, Mr David Jones, said that "vertical deflection measures speed measures shall be introduced in the vicinity of the Rise and the Paddocks.

"The Scheme will be subject to a Road Safety Audit Stage 3, and any recommendations from same will be implemented. Sight lines distances will be in accordance with Table 4.2 of DMURS."