Residents fear lives being lost at 'lethal' road junctions

Balrath locals are demanding urgent works on dangerous junctions are carried out after spate of accidents including one fatal collision

Residents of Balrath outside Kells who are concerned at the frequency and severity of accidents in the area, are furious that promised work on two dangerous junctions still haven't been carried out.

Residents are terrified that more lives will be lost on the road, which has already been the scene of one fatal accident.

“There have been a lot of accidents in the last six months and the frequency and severity of accidents is increasing,” says Dáire Shields, chairperson of Balrath Residents Association.

“A few weeks ago, a car driving along the road flipped over three times and in another accident a car hit a house.”

Following a campaign by the local residents, Part 8 planning approval was secured and Transport Infrastructure Ireland made a funding commitment for work on two dangerous junctions in the area, the junction at Rhine Lane and Boolies. Despite approval last March, the work still hasn't been carried out.

The community have been campaigning for traffic calming measures and a footpath for 60 years. The residents had submitted a petition, signed by every resident from each occupied residence between The Rhine and M3 roundabout, to Meath Co Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Mr Shields says action needs to be taken before someone else is killed.

“The go ahead was given for the works in May.”

He explained that as well as the much needed safety works at the Boolies and Rhine Lane Junction, the residents also want the footpath to be extended from the footpath to Kells as far as the M3 roundabout where there is also a footpath.

“A lot of people walk the road, but it is terribly dangerous. It would take just 1km of footpath to link the existing paths.

“It is extremely annoying that the promised works haven't gone ahead, because it is so dangerous”.

Mr Shields pointed out that a traffic survey had been carried out which showed 5,000 traffic movements a day with an average 700 vehicles every day travelling at greater than 84km/h through the community, which has a legal speed limit of 60km/h.

“We are all aware that traffic calming measures and pedestrian facilities are justified and desperately required.

“We are extremely frustrated at the delays.”

Cllr Sean Drew said there had been further accidents in the area in recent weeks and he wanted to see the upgrade works completed at the earliest opportunity.

“The traffic calming measures and the footpath are due to be discussed at next weeks Kells Municipal Council meeting and we will hear what the status is regarding delivery of the works.”

Cllr Sarah Reilly said: “Upgrading safety standards for motorists and pedestrians on this section of road is a high priority for me. That is why I requested that the relevant officials in the Council attend our next Municipal District to provide an update on works completed to progress these works. It is crucial that the council treat this project as being of the highest importance.”

A spokesperson for Meath Co Council said no funding had been provided for the construction of this project, however the council is fully committed to delivering the project and will continue to work with their funding partners.