Cllr Kelly calls for additional pedestrian crossings in parts of Dundalk

Cllr Seán Kelly tabled a motion at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting, calling for two additional pedestrian crossings at Castletown Road and Marian Park.

Cllr Kelly's motion stated: "That Louth Council look at the possibility of installing two new pedestrian crossing at the following locations:

1. Outside of Castletown Pharmacy on the Castletown Road, Dundalk 

2. At the entrance of Aisling Park playground at Marian Park, Dundalk.

"The rationale behind this is the fact that there is no other means for pedestrians to cross in close vicinity and there are a lot of children and elderly people using both roads on a frequent basis, therefore the lack of a pedestrian crossing is a significant safety concern."

Cllr Kelly further commented, "we have a real safety concern here for locals, firstly at Castletown Pharmacy where people are crossing on a regular basis to visit the pharmacy and local doctors surgery, the nearest crossings to this location is further up the road at Castletown Girls school or the Ecco Road junction.

"Secondly at the playground there is no safe crossings for children from Marian Park, Farndreg or Clann Cuchalainn accessing the Park and the lack of a footpath along the green area at Marian Park needs be addressed."

Cllr Edel Corrigan spoke at the meeting in support of Cllr Kelly's motion, saying that it was an ongoing issue for a number of years and that it would be great to see some form of action. 

Responding to Cllr Kelly's motion, Director of Place Making and Physical Development, Catherine Duff, said that "the locations are not part of the proposed roads program for 2023.

"The two locations proposed for crossings will be assessed by the area engineer and should they warrant same they will be considered for future funding based on prioritisation."