€175,000 for Meath transport projects

Funding of €175,000 has been allocated to Meath County Council by the National Transport Authority for improvements to pedestrian routes in Trim, Summerhill and Dunderry. The funding has been allocated under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) programme.

Welcoming the funding, Meath West TD, Ray Butler, stated: “A total of €75,000 has been allocated to the council for the Trim Linear Park project to allow for the improvement to pedestrian routes connecting a number of residential areas to the town centre, such as Elder Grove, Cedar Grove, Boyne View, Avondale Drive, Swiftcourt and Pinebrook.

“Public lighting will be installed on the existing Linear Park path and the route itself will be improved. This will be welcome news for residents in the area, who for many years have been calling for safe pedestrian access to the town centre. The pedestrian and cycle route in Pinebrook will also be upgraded, to include the provision of public lighting.'

Traffic calming measures will also be implemented in Trim, including a HGV diversion away from Patrick Street.

Deputy Butler said: 'This is a very positive development as there has been some concern regarding the safety of students attending all of the schools on Patrick Street. The current traffic arrangements for HGVs are hazardous, particularly at the Ring Road, so I think this diversion makes good sense.

“The introduction of the HGV ban on Patrick Street will allow for the upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing, to cater for cyclists and allow for the provision of adequate cycle lanes along the Ring Road, as identified in the current Trim Development Plan.

“In Summerhill, a pedestrian crossing will be installed in the centre of the village and a new footpath will link the local shop and the primary school in Dunderry, something I have been pursuing for some time.

“I think each of these projects will have a positive impact on the areas involved, and I hope the works can be completed without delay.”