Dundalk councillor seeks solution to Chapel St congestion

Cllr John Reilly has asked that Louth County Council consider moving a number of bollards outside the LMETB building at Chapel Street in Dundalk, to allow for extra parking and help alleviate traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoon.

Cllr Reilly says that before Christmas he received a representation involving a complaint about the congestion in the morning and afternoon on the Chapel Street and Union Street area, and raised the matter at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting.

Visiting the location on a Monday morning, Cllr Reilly said that arrived at around 8.45 am to witness the congestion firsthand. He said that for the half hour he was there, just one child cycled to school, and one used a scooter.

Last year an initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion around school gates was launched asking parents and students across Louth to rethink their daily commute by taking part in the ‘Park ‘n’ Stride’ campaign.

The initiative allows pupils travelling in cars to be dropped close to the school to complete the remainder of the journey on foot.

Parents or guardians of pupils attending any Dundalk school can register for a Park ‘n’ Stride permit, which will allow them avail of up to two hours free parking per day after dropping their children to school in designated car-parks displaying the distinctive blue Park ‘n’ Stride logo.

The aim of the initiative is to reduce the amount traffic congestion around school gates, resulting in a safer environment as well as less harmful fumes and pollution from idling engines.

Highlighting how few were cycling to the school Cllr Reilly said that “in the interest of common sense, it is apparent that the approximately 10 bollards outside the old VEC school should be removed, which will work to widen the street and provide extra parking space for six or seven cars.

“This will by no means cure the problem, but it would be a significant help.” Cllr Reilly added that he is "very reluctant to take away bollards", however, he believes it is very obvious that the stretch of the cycle lane is not being fully utilised.

With regard to road safety, the Fine Gael councillor suggested that students who cycle can dismount at the corner of Barrack Street and walk on the footpath. "We need to contemplate making Union Street one way", he further added, pointing out at the January meeting that it was too narrow a street to accommodate two way traffic.

The meeting heard in response that the Principal of the CBS Primary School was in contact with the Road Safety Officer in Louth County Council with a view to meeting onsite in relation to the safety and congestion issue.