Concern over Dunboyne/Clonee Pedestrian and Cycleway

As the public consultation on the Dunboyne and Clonee Pedestrian and Cycle Network continues, the proposals came under fire at last week's meeting of the Ratoath Municipal District Council.

Cllr Maria Murphy said it was creating a lot of controversy.

She pointed out that it will take away parking spaces in the main street and some businesses have warned it could close them down.

"There are some very good routes proposed, but the plan for the centre of the village is very controversial.

"We were told two years ago that there wouldn't be full cycle lanes in the centre of Dunboyne, but that there would be a speed limit of 30Kmp rams and traffic calming.

"We took that in good faith, but now we see cycle lanes in the centre of the village in the plans. In fact, if Lidl gets planning permission there, these cycle lanes will contradict that permission."

Cllr Murphy said the proposals for a cycle lane to the soccer club on the Summerhill road and to the GAA cub on the Rooske Road were very welcome, but she felt the proposals for the centre of the village would have a detrimental affect on business.

"There is no regard for anything else going on in the village. It could be a lovely plan but it is creating a lot of annoyance.

"There are also proposals to have cycle lanes in housing estates. This isn't happening anywhere else," she pointed out.

She also noted that the proposals would see some householders having to give up parts of the their front gardens. "These include some houses on the Station Road and the Old Navan Road."

Cllr Murphy said that if the plans in their present form come before Meath County Council, she would be voting against them.

The public consultation continues until 24th May.

According to the council, the scheme has the potential to promote and enhance walking, cycling and the use of public transport by providing a superior network of footpath and cycleway connections for both residents of Clonee and Dunboyne.

Cllr Gillian Toole raised the issue of the Pedestrian and Cycleway planned for Ratoath and pointed out she had taken part in a recent Age Friendly Walkability Study in Ratoath.

She said the cycleway along the Jamestown Road to the GAA made sense, but the footpath there is in a dire condition. "There are lots of trip hazards there," she pointed out.

Cllr Toole said that while there is not supposed to be a hierarchy regarding cycling and walking, it seemed that when it came to funding, cycle lanes get priority over footpaths.

"This is one occasion where this has to be reversed," she said.