“A bypass is still needed” says McGinty

Work is set to commence shortly on a €2.6m traffic calming Scheme at Julianstown but the Cathaoirleach of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District, Labour Councillor Elane McGinty, says that, while she welcomes the plan, a bypass is still needed.

Following various surveys including a drone survey carried out in March to assess driver behaviour and traffic volumes, the ambitious project is now at the detailed design stage and work on the ground is set to commence shortly.

The brief for the 1 km Scheme which extends from the Laytown Junction to the Ballygarth Junction and includes the Duleek and Whitecross Junction was:

• Redress the balance between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
• Reduce the speeds going through the village
• Improve the infrastructure for both pedestrians and cyclists
• Improve the safety of pedestrian crossing points on the R150 & R132
• Encourage and promote cycling and walking through Julianstown
• Bus-stop infrastructure improvement.

 “Julianstown village has suffered for too long with over 20,000 vehicles a day going through it at peak times” Councillor Elaine McGinty said.  

“While the plan is to spend €2.6m to slow traffic down, a bypass is still needed to reduce the volume of traffic going through the village.

“East Meath has seen an explosion of housing over the last number of years without the necessary infrastructure being put in place, this needs to change.

“Some of the improvement works announced today are an upgrade to the Bus Stop to allow for disabled passengers to disembark, new ramps, footpaths, pedestrian railings, new raised pedestrian crossing at Whitecross National School. Overall, the project of works will see significantly improved infrastructure and safety measures for both pedestrians and cyclists which is very important.

“I want to acknowledge Meath County Council’s significant work on this project and their contribution of €750k towards phase 1, we now need to ensure that the remaining funding is secured from central government to complete the works.“

Fianna Fáil Councillor Stephen McKee said that he too was pleased with the scheme of which he has been a long-time supporter.

“Traffic calming is badly needed through the village so the project can't come soon enough” he said. “Traffic volumes are almost back to pre-Covid levels, having a very negative impact on the quality of life in the village.”

But he too had reservations saying that he was disappointed that traffic lights at both the Duleek and Laytown junctions which he had been calling for on behalf of residents, have not been included.

“'Even so, the scheme presented has many positive aspects and will make life better for the residents of Julianstown” he said. “I look forward to the scheme starting as soon as possible.”