N51 road closure leading to an increase in speed issues on local diversion routes

The closure of the N51 Slane to Navan road for road works until the end of September has brought a new menace to other roads in the area according to residents of the Boyne Road in Navan.

They are calling on Meath Co Council to carry out a speed audit there during this month, along with other measures. Under the heading ‘Safety for our community on the Boyne Road’, residents have circulated a bulletin calling for urgent action. They noted that there had been a marked increase in the speed of some vehicles driving on the road, stressing that the speed limit there is 50kms from the town as far as the graveyard, then moving to 60kms and to 80kms after that.

“The high speed of some motorists poses a risk to our families and friends walking and cycling the road and for neighbours driving in and out of their homes”, they said.

They said that action is now needed to curtail the speeding and wants people to raise their voices. The group of residents has made representations to Meath County Council and councillors over the last 12 months in an effort to get support for certain measures including clear markings making motorists aware of the speed limit on the road, and for enforcement of the speed limits.

The residents said that Cllr Emer Tóibín has recognised the risks and is aiding the Boyne Road community with two immediate actions that residents will see through the month of August – the council will conduct a speed audit this month and a report will be issued which will indicate any need for road markings and repeater speed signs on the road. Gardai will also a marked patrol car to record speeds on the road.

“If many resident raise their concern about speeding this will assist Meath County Council’s decision-making process on the actions they take to manage speeding”.

Residents are being asked to email concerns to transport@meathcoco.ie; emer.toibin@members.meathcoco.ie; and boyneRoadSafety@gmail.com.