Flooding and icy roads spark safety concerns in Ardee

The January meeting of the Ardee Municipal District heard of poor road conditions, flooding and calls for traffic calming measures. 

Fine Gael councillor Rachel Kerley raised concerns about the Thomastown Road, which she said becomes flooded and icy during cold weather. She said it creates dangerous conditions for drivers. However, she said it should not require long-term gritting once flooding issues were resolved. 

Flooding was a recurring issue, as Cllr Tenanty alerted the council that surplus water at Mapastown in Ardee is running off into adjacent fields.  

Enda Murphy, Senior Executive Engineer with Louth County Council said the council will see what can be done with regards to Mapastown. 

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Elsewhere, councillors highlighted poor road conditions across the town, including potholes on the L2254 between the Strirue Bridge and the motorway, and a lack of road markings on the L2226 between Charleville and junction 14 of the M1.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Sheridan called for traffic calming measures for housing estates in Glyde View, Tallanstown and Cherrybrook, Ardee.

However, Mr Murphy said in order to install such measures, petitions are required from residents, and he also noted there are 65 locations currently seeking similar measures. 

Cllr Sheridan also praised council operations staff for the removal of antisemitic graffiti over the festive period, which he described as hate speech that should involve Gardaí.

Gardaí are currently investigating the incident as a hate crime. 

He said staff "shouldn't have had to work on New Year's Day" and described it as "awful that operations have to be used when people should've been at home with their families". 

Mr Murphy agreed and said graffiti "shouldn't be happening" and acknowledged the staff that worked over New Year.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme