Calls on Louth County Council to prioritise road safety upgrades on mid-Louth roads

Senator Alison Comyn is calling on Louth County Council to urgently address serious safety concerns along the R165–R167 corridor between Shanlis Cross and the N2 in Ardee, citing a history of fatal accidents, ongoing dangers to local residents, and increased traffic volumes due to regional growth and rerouted commercial traffic.

“The road network from Shanlis Cross to Blakestown Cross, and through Oberstown and Ballapousta, is no longer fit for purpose,” Senator Comyn said.

“Residents have raised clear and legitimate concerns about speeding vehicles, blind junctions, and inadequate infrastructure for a now densely populated residential hub.”

Over 48 homes are situated directly along the R165–R167 stretch, with additional laneways feeding into this busy commuter and freight route.

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Senator Comyn highlighted several specific concerns:

• Oberstown Cross remains a blind junction where heavy goods vehicles regularly speed and overtake on broken white lines, posing a serious risk to motorists and pedestrians alike.

• Shanlis Cross, previously the site of multiple fatalities, had to be retrofitted with a four-way stop system to reduce collisions—yet similar improvements have not been implemented at other high-risk junctions.

• Blakestown Cross poses a danger for residents entering or exiting their estate, with overtaking traffic creating near-miss situations daily.

• The road is used as a bypass by articulated trucks and gravel lorries from Kingscourt, attempting to avoid congestion in Ardee, contributing to noise, vibration damage to homes, and overall unsafe conditions. The Mullingar bus travels this route eight times a day.

• Cycle, walking, and jogging lanes are completely absent, despite the area’s growing residential character and the increased size of the local national school.

Senator Comyn also pointed to recent national policy changes allowing local authorities to reduce rural road speed limits from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and from 80 km/h to 60 km/h as an immediate step Louth County Council can take.

“There is a window of opportunity right now for Louth County Council to act decisively—reduce speed limits, realign dangerous junctions like Oberstown Cross, install continuous white lines, and create safe spaces for walking and cycling.

"Every day without action increases the risk of another tragic incident.”

The Senator is urging the Council to consult with residents, local schools, and transport planners to implement a comprehensive road safety strategy before pressure increases further with the future development of the Western Bypass.

“This isn’t about inconvenience—it’s about protecting lives, safeguarding families, and ensuring this community’s roads are as safe as any in the country,” Senator Comyn.