Kells one-way traffic proposals go on display

A public workshop on Kells Town Council's plans for a one-way traffic system will take place in the local Headfort Arms Hotel between 2pm and 5pm today (Wednesday), as part of the public consultation process on the Kells Traffic Management Plan. A further workshop will take place on Wednesday 30th June and the plan is available for inspection during normal opening hours at Meath County Council head office, County Hall, Navan, and the Kells Civic Offices, Headfort Place, Kells, for the next three weeks. Details of the scheme are also available on the Meath County Council website, www.meath.ie The one-way system was among the proposals in the draft traffic management plan, which also included the restoration of the town's historic Market Cross to Cross Street and the provision of a number of roundabouts at junctions around the town. Councillor Sean Drew has welcomed the commencement of the public consultation process. He has urged residents, shopowners and the business community in the town to view the preliminary plans and to make any relevant submissions on the proposals. Cllr Drew pointed out that he has campaigned over a number of years for a traffic forum for Kells where the input of interested parties could be expressed and acted upon. He said that there were a number of aspects in the plan that he would have some concerns with, for example, accessibility to certain streets as a result of the proposal for one way system. However, he welcomed the proposals for increased pedestrian safety with additional pedestrian crossings in the town, new cycle lanes and also the provision of extra bus stop . "Kells must ensure that the final traffic management system put in place will facilitate the future development of the town in a positive manner. It is essential that the people of Kells take this opportunity to have their opinion taken into account and that their input is considered in finalising the scheme," he said. The draft plan, which was drawn up by Burrows Consultants, proposes that Kenlis Place becomes a one-way street, with traffic travelling in a northerly direction only. Farrell Street will be one-way in the Mullingar direction, Suffolk Street and Newmarket Street will only carry traffic travelling northwards, while traffic in Church Street will be travelling towards Market Street, where there will be one-way traffic in a southerly direction down to John Street. The current proposals also include the development of roundabouts at the various junctions in the town and the eventual restoration of the Market Cross to the centre of the town.