Concerns over safety of ‘treacherous’ road in north Louth

North Louth councillor Erin McGreehan has said she will work with Louth County Council to implement measures that will improve the safety of the R173, the regional road in Cooley.

In a statement released at the weekend, McGreehan stated that: “as we all know there are several junctions and areas along the R173 from the Ballymascanlon Roundabout to the border at Omeath that are treacherous.

“I am under no doubt that the entire stretch of the road needs a review and remedies need to be found”.
Louth County Council are currently undertaking studies on the Carlingford/Greenore road to identify improvements, according to the Fianna Fáil councillor.

McGreehan said that pending the results of these studies the Council will implement plans for the installation of speed reduction measures on the road approaching Carlingford. Similar examinations are also planned for sections of the Omeath road.

Scheduled works in the area include those planned for the Bellurgan straight, with recently installed electronic signage. New road markings and hi-reflective signage is also planned, says McGreehan.

According to Cllr McGreehan there are also plans to review the current situation at the Gyles Quay junction, as well as the junction at Bush School, to improve safety in the area.

“This is another example of how the Council are committed to working to improve the road safety for the users of this road”, said Cllr McGreehan.

“The R173 is incredibly busy and the road usage is increasing year on year.

“It is in the interests of all road users that these improvements are implemented and the safety of main artery of the Penninsula improved resulting in fewer accidents”.