Bollards return to Chapel Street

The bollards back on Chapel Street this morning

They’re back!!

The controversial bollards on Chapel Street, which separate the cycle lane from the road, are back in place.

The street was closed for a 10 day period recently from the junction with Jocelyn Street to the junction with New Street to facilitate road resurfacing.

The road reopened last weekend with just a single black line separating the road from the cycle lane.

However, the council have now reinstalled the bollards, which had fallen into massive disrepair in recent years after being repeatedly struck by vehicles. While the reinstated bollards are new, how long do you give it until they are damaged again?

Locals commenting on the matter on Facebook described them as “ridiculous” and added that the street was too narrow for a cycle lane of this size, with emergency services having had difficulty negotiating it before.

Bollards on Chapel Street set to return

The bollards at the cycle lane on Chapel Street are set to return

Louth County Council have confirmed that the controversial bollards on Chapel Street, which separate the cycle lane from the road, are to return.

The street was closed for a 10 day period from the juncton with Jocelyn Street to the junction with New Street to facilitate road resurfacing.

The road has since reopened with just a single black line separating the road from the cycle lane.

However, the council expect the bollards – which had fallen into massive disrepair of late after being repeatedly struck by vehicles – will return within the next week.

McGahon calls for greater safety measures at Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry

Cllr John McGahon outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry

Fine Gael Councillor for Dundalk-Carlingford, John McGahon, has called on Louth County Council to place protective railings and bollards outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry.

Cllr McGahon placed a motion on the matter at a recent meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee.

Commenting on the matter, he said: “For a number of years, the issue of road safety has always been a prevalent one outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa. The school have already done a tremendous amount of work in trying to reduce the risk of an accident happening on the R177. Only last year the school were awarded their fourth Green Flag for their transport policy.

”Road safety outside urban and rural schools is a very important issue and its one which I intend to campaign on throughout my five year term as a local councillor for Dundalk and North Louth. Council officials have told me that the situation at the school will be examined and a report prepared as to what the next steps will be.

“I am calling on the council officials to produce this report as a matter of great urgency. We cannot run the risk of an accident happening. This is a protective measure that will greatly enhance the security and safety of the 220 pupils of Scoil Phadraig Naofa,” he said.