‘It’s frightening and we are terrified’... Residents want safety measures at junction on Trim-Longwood road
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Residents are worried there will be a serious accident at the junction... ‘Speed is also a big issue. Something needs to be done before someone else is killed.’Image 3 of 3
Concerned residents on the Trim-Longwood road... Noreen, Christy and Vernon O’Brien with Joe and Geraldine Cregan and Ann O’Connor. PHOTO: SEAMUS FARRELLYResidents living at Ardanew Cross are pleading with Meath County Council for safety measures at the junction on the Trim-Longwood Road before someone is seriously injured or killed.
Geraldine Cregan and her husband live at the junction and say it is extremely dangerous as its blind coming out from both approach roads and told how speeding is also an issue on the Trim-Longwood Road.
Geraldine said: "There was yet another accident last Friday week. As pensioners living at the cross, I can see a lorry or car coming in on top of us. It's frightening and we are terrified. I've been on to councillors on numerous occasions, it is extremely dangerous."
She also told how a man was killed at the cross a number of years ago and is fearful of another serious accident occurring if nothing is done.
Meath County Council received funding four years ago for safety improvement works but failed to reach agreement on purchasing land for the works and the scheme never went ahead.
"It is blind for traffic coming from both side exits. Traffic has to nudge its way out coming from onto the main road," said Geraldine.
"Speed is also a big issue. Something needs to be done before someone else is killed," she said. Residents are now appealing to the Council to review the cross again and bring forward proposals as a priority. Local councillor Noel French said: "The cross is dangerous. Cars and trucks are flying because it is a straight road. There is limited visibility for vehicles coming on to the road and this is where the danger occurs. The council does recognise that this cross needs work and put forward a proposal and funding a number of years ago. But that project did not go ahead so I have called on the council to examine options again."
A spokesperson for Meath County Council said: "The Council received an allocation from the Department of Transport to carry out some safety improvement works at this junction in 2018. However the Council were unable to advance agreement for the purchase of lands, with the adjacent landowners, to improve visibility splays and the works did not progress."