Traffic calming works have started outside St Mary’s National School in Donore, with further measures also being introduced on the Staleen Road.
According to local Fianna Fáil councillor Stephen McKee, Meath County Council has begun work on a new raised table at the pedestrian crossing outside the school.
The measure is intended to slow traffic and improve safety for pupils, parents and other pedestrians using the area.
Speed cushions are also being installed along the L1601 Staleen Road.
McKee welcomed the start of the works and said he had repeatedly raised road safety concerns in Donore with the Council.
“I am pleased that my lobbying for improved road safety outside St Mary’s National School Donore has been taken onboard by Meath County Council,” he said.
“Work has just started on a new raised table crossing outside the school. This will help slow down traffic. Furthermore, speed cushions are being installed on the L1601 Staleen Road which has become a dangerous road in recent years due to speeding.”
Long-running calls for traffic calming
Road safety concerns in Donore and on the Staleen Road have been raised with Meath County Council over several years.
Minutes from the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District in September 2021 record McKee raising “the need for traffic calming in Donore and from Donore to the Staleen Road”.
McKee said he believes further measures are still needed on the roads approaching the village.
“There is no doubt that something needs to be done to slow the speed of traffic down, particularly at the school and make the village safer and to improve the quality of life for everyone,” he said.
Speed cushions planned for Bettystown
McKee also said further traffic calming measures are due to be introduced at The Narroways in Bettystown.
“I am pleased too that the Narroways, Bettystown will benefit with the putting in place of speed cushions shortly to help reduce speed along that stretch of road,” he said.
“I have been in regular contact with Meath County Council about this road on behalf of local residents.”
McKee said he would continue to raise road safety concerns in Donore, Bettystown, and the wider East Meath area with the Council.
