As the road works continue on the R153 and the one of the main arteries from Navan to the N2, there has been a sizeable level in the volume of traffic on all the local

roads adjoining to the N2 with motorists driving at excessive speed and in some instances quite reckless driving, passing on single lines or on bends when there is no chance to see oncoming traffic. Residents are becoming frustrated and many have contacted the councillors in their respective areas to voice their concerns.

Cllr Wayne Harding has said he is constantly being made aware of increasing dangers on our local and regional roads due to increased traffic volume, speeding, lack of signage, enforcement and a lack of maintenance, particularly during the fast growth summer season.

All of these issues are combining to make what were once lesser-used roads increasingly dangerous. Almost everywhere I went during the recent local elections, residents living on rural roads complained of increasing dangers. Residents in Beauparc and Stackallen have complained of rat runs due to the closure of the Kentstown/Navan road and avoiding build ups in and around Slane village.

I’ve also dealt with calls for the cutting of verges at junctions to help visibility during the summer months. We also have to get really serious about the constant dangers at Beamore and Mounthanover cross as well as Donore village and Stackallen school. As we bring this up, as councillors we are told there is an onus on the driver.

This of course is true, but I will no longer allow the answer to cover everything. We have to put everything at our discretion to curd out the dangers. The local authority need to cut grass verges, particularly at junctions and erect sufficient signage. But An Garda Siochana need to go out and enforce the speed limits in the above areas mentioned.

One resident did say he saw a patrol car on the Boyne road early on but that was all he noticed. With the schools all getting back for the next term there will be the additional school runs and traffic will increase significantly.