Calls for ‘re-think’ on Louth road diversions as fatal accident led to chaos on rural routes
A Louth councillor has called for a review of traffic diversion plans after a fatal road collision on the N2 led to significant disruption across rural communities in mid-Louth.
Cllr. Rachel Kerley raised the issue at the June meeting of Louth County Council, highlighting the impact on small villages including Reaghstown, Tallanstown and Stonetown when the N2 was closed following last week’s tragic fatality on the road.
While acknowledging the “vital response” by gardaí and council staff in dealing with the collision and ensuing road closure, Cllr. Kerley said the diversions put in place had serious unintended consequences for residents in the area. Large volumes of traffic—including HGVs, buses and other heavy vehicles—were rerouted along narrow country roads that she described as “not suitable at all” for vehicles of that size.
Residents along these quiet routes experienced considerable disruption, she said, with roadside verges damaged and properties affected. “People’s houses have been left damaged as a result,” Cllr. Kerley told the meeting.
She also raised safety concerns, saying “It’s just lucky there wasn’t anyone on the verges at the time as there would have been a serious accident,” she warned.
Cllr. Kerley stressed that while she understood it was necessary to divert traffic following major incidents, a “better plan” could be drawn up.
She added: “Unfortunately this was not the first accident on the N2, and while I hope it will be the last, we can’t be sure of that as this is an exceptionally dangerous road.”
Following consultations with both gardaí and council engineers, she urged the local authority to explore more suitable diversion strategies for the area when serious road traffic incidents occur.
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Dolores Minogue supported the call, revealing that two large vehicles became stuck while attempting to navigate one of the narrow diversion routes.
Cllr. Minogue suggested that traffic could instead be redirected via larger, more appropriate routes, such as Dundalk or Carrickmacross, while maintaining restricted local access on smaller roads during closures.
In response, Director of Service David Hanratty said that when a serious accident occurs “gardai are absolutely correct to close the entire road so they can carry out their investigations.”
However, he said there was “always room for improvement in forward planning” and acknowledged the suggestion of re-routing traffic to Dundalk and onwards, saying that it could be considered.