Cllrs told works to 'accident blackspot' in Dundalk won't begin until late 2027

Works to one of Dundalk's 'accident blackspots' will not take place until at least the end of 2027, councillors were told.

Louth County Council were seeking Part 8 planning approval from councillors at the April meeting of the Dundalk Municipal District, which includes works to Sexton's Junction in the town. 

The local authority plans to conduct major works to the junction between Marlbog and Seafield Road. It includes the installation of traffic lights on both sides, the realignment of the junction as well as a yellow box at the car park.

It said it hopes the changes will make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road and improve "vehicular traffic" for what it labelled an "accident blackspot." 

The council said if approved, it plans to begin construction on the junction towards the end of 2027. 

However, councillors expressed frustration with the timeline. Green Party councillor Marianne Butler said "we seem to be approving part 8s, but they're sitting on the shelf and nothing is happening with them". 

She said with "the way inflation is going", the council will need to double its budget and called on the local authority to "move faster". 

Fianna Fáil councillor Shane McGuinness said he was "disappointed" with the timeline and said "the years are flying". 

Despite concerns with the timeline, councillors did welcome the planned works to the junction. 

Independent councillor Maeve Yore labelled it a "huge and welcome development", while fellow Independent Ciarán Fisher said the works are "much needed". 

"It’s a very quick junction, It seems like every second week there was an accident," he said. 

Councillors also raised practical concerns with the planned development. 

Cllr McGuinness said the junction makes it "seriously difficult for a lorry to turn left" while Cllr Fisher called for a separate lane for those turning.

The council said it could not install a designated lane to turn left due to safety concerns but said the stop line will be far enough back to allow Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to turn.

There were also calls for designated traffic monitoring at the junction. 

Fine Gael councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District Robert Nash said he was happy to see the council prioritising Sexton's Junction but said he'd like to see a "situation where these traffic lights are linked. The town is getting that big for a monitored traffic system where someone is sitting at a screen monitoring the traffic". 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.