Report Paul Murphy
Kells can’t afford to wait for a public realm plan to be put in force in the town centre and instead must tackle infrastructural issues which were having a negative effect on the town. That was the trenchant view put forward by the Cathaoirleach of Kells Municipal District Cllr Sean Drew when he called for a special report to examine the possibility of installing roundabouts at two major junctions in Kells – the R164-141 (Athboy Road) and the R941-2 (Mullingar Road) at the Railway Bar and separately the John Street/Castle Street/Cross Street/Market Street in the town centre.
In reply to Cllr Drew’s notice of motion, which was seconded by Cllr Sarah Reilly, council officials acknowledged the motion but said that in considering the request for roundabouts it was essential that any proposed intervention complied with the Irish government’s infrastructure guidelines for public investment projects. “These guidelines require a structured approach to project appraisal, including strategic assessment, option evaluation and value-for-money analysis. Compliance ensures that any transport investment is evidence-based, cost effective and aligned with national priorities.
Sean Drew wants action instead of waiting on public realm plan.
Furthermore, the proposal must align with the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland. This places strong emphasis on setting clear project objectives and defined outcomes at the outset of any feasibility study. This ensure that interventions address identified needs – such as safety, accessibility, and traffic efficiency – and that the most appropriate solution is selected, whether that is a roundabout or an alternative measure”.
At a local level, the officials said, the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 promotes sustainable transport, improved road safety and enhanced connectivity within towns and villages. While the plan encourages modal shift towards walking, cycling and public transport, it also recognised the need for targeted road infrastructure improvements where necessary to address congestion and safety concerns. Any feasibility study for roundabouts must, therefore, demonstrate consistency with these objectives and policies.
Cllr Drew said the reason he tabled the motion was because of his frustration of progress on a public realm plan for Kells. At the previous MD councillor’s had been told there was nothing happening with that plan. “We cannot just continue to wait on this non-progress”. The council would have to start looking at particular issues in the town, trying to look at them on an individual basis and trying to get something done. Taking the Mullingar road junction, he said there was heavy congestion there every morning and evening. The junction at John Street was not safe both from a traffic of point of view and a pedestrian view.
Cllr Gallagher has cross party support on Cllr Drew’s motion.
The issue seemed to have been pushed aside to await the county development plan – “so we are going to sit in Kells and do nothing in Kells on issues like this and it looks as if we will be bringing issues like this in notices of motion every month. There is work to be done in Kells. It is needed for years. I am not happy with the response. I don’t want to wait that long for something to be done”.
Cllr Eugene Cassidy said it was 120 years since they had a one-way system in Kells. He believed they had learned a lot from the experience. He said he still believed a one-way system could work in the own, as instanced by the system operated when the Christmas lights were turned on recently. He believed that at John Street a roundabout was necessary. Putting up traffic lights would only make congestion worse, he said.
Sinn Fein Cllr Michael Gallagher supported Cllr Drew’s motion, saying that roundabouts worked far better than any other device in keeping traffic flowing and making roads safer for road users.
Fianna Fail Cllr Mike Bray said that with regard to the John Street junction there was confusion as to who had the right of way. “It’s quite confusing”, he said.
