Cycle lanes in Dundalk ‘unusable’ due to poor maintenance, councillors warn
Concerns have been raised over the condition of cycle lanes across Dundalk, with local councillors warning that some routes have deteriorated to the point of being “unusable”.
At the June meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr. Sionnan McCann called for greater focus on the upkeep of cycling infrastructure throughout the town. She highlighted a number of problem areas, including Jocelyn Street, where she said a tree is growing in the middle of a cycle lane.
Cllr. McCann also pointed to the condition of lane markings near the Home Bakery, describing them as “completely gone”. As a result, cyclists are being forced to leave designated lanes and move onto the road in several locations.
The issue was also raised by by Cllr. Sean Kelly, who said cycle lane markings in the Seatown area “need to be addressed as a matter of urgency”. While he acknowledged that active travel schemes are positive initiatives, he said they risk losing their effectiveness if maintenance is not prioritised.
“Schemes like these are great,” he said, “but they run into problems in upkeep and maintenance.”
In response, council officials told the meeting that road markings inevitably deteriorate over time. While resources are limited, the areas identified by councillors would be examined.