NO ENTRY – It’s painted on the road in four-foot letters, and there are two signs to that effect also, but still drivers seeking to escape traffic congestion on the way into town at Mell are taking a chance and driving the wrong way up Simcocks Lane which runs up into Fair Green beside Foley’s pub.
Often the illegal shortcut works but, if they meet another vehicle coming down, there’s a problem and usually it’s the driver coming down the hill that has to give way because reversing down and back into the traffic at Mell is nigh on impossible.
Independent Councillor Kevin Callan has raised the issue with Louth County Council having received numerous reports of drivers travelling the wrong direction on the one way street.
In his notice of motion to this month’s Borough Meeting, Councillor Callan called on the council to seek solutions to prevent traffic turning up from Mell and causing obstructions for cars travelling down the hill from Trinity a gardens.
“In many instances traffic congestion in Mell heading towards the town centre causes drivers to look for a short cut and this lane is a perfect example” Callan said, “the only issue is that it’s an illegal turn!”
“This is a busy route and essential to allow residents of Trinity Gardens exit their estate towards Mell.”
He explained that when a car travelling down Simcocks Lane meets another car coming up in the wrong direction it is invariably the driver that is travelling down the lane that has to reverse even though he/she is obeying the law.
“It is a serious issue because there are line of sight problems for the driver of the vehicle reversing back out onto the main road” Callan said.
The Council said they will review the situation and come up with some possible solutions.
