The presence of HGVs has become more prevalent on the inner town streets of Kells since the last time he raised the issue some time ago, the Cathaoirleach of Kells Municipal District Cllr Sean Drew told a meeting of the MD this week (14th July). The county council was spending big money on the repair and maintenance of the streets and these heavy vehicles were damaging kerbing, he said. He was making a special request to Gardai to take action. “All they have to do is stop one or two of these HGVs and the word will get out”, he said.
“They have the bypass to go around and they are getting around this town without having to pay tolls. It’s policy to keep HGVs out of the town centre of Kells and that was fully agreed some years ago. They have an alternative route. Another issue raised by the Cathaoirleach was “joyriding on the N52 bypass on the Cavan Road towards the Carnaross roundabout”. That issue had been raised by a lot of local residents. The activity was going on without, it seemed, any action by the Gardai.
Cllr Eugene Cassidy said that it looked as if funding might be available later this year for the realignment of the N52 road, an issue that had been highlighted for some time. If the funding was made available then work could start next year, he said. The cllr also warned that when the road was being realignment drivers would go through the village of Castletown and use it as a “rat run”. That would amount to 4,000 cars a day. Before this happens the concept of speed ramps should be examined. The councillor was told that the issue would be taken up by engineering staff in the council headquarters.
The taking in charge by Meath County Council of certain estates in the Kells Municipal District was voted through by councillors at this meeting as follows – Loughcrew Hills Oldcastle Phase 1 proposed by Cllr Peter Caffrey and seconded by Cllr Michael Gallagher; Loughcrew Hills Phase 2 proposed by Cllr Sarah Reilly seconded by Cllr Caffrey; Archdeaconry Kells proposed by Cllr Gallagher and seconded
by Cllr Sarah Reilly. A declaration was also made that the roads within these developments are declared public roads.
