Louth councillor calls out bus stop shortages and ‘dangerous roundabouts you can’t see over’

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A growth in demand for town centre bus services means more bus stops are needed along key routes, councillors heard at the monthly meeting of Dundalk Municipal District.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Robbie Nash said that the additional services in Dundalk led to more passengers waiting to board.

A number of new bus stops are needed, he said, especially in busy residential areas like Bay Estate and Blackrock.

"In Bay Estate the bus stop is really busy, with kids going to school and people heading into town. The last bus is at 11.30, which is used a lot.”

He said some guidance was needed on how the council could advance plans for additional bus stops in the town, asking if the National Transport Authority (NTA ) are the agency responsible.

Separately, Cllr. Nash called for overgrowth on roundabouts to be addressed by the council.

He highlighted the roundabouts at the Inner Relief Road and the Red Barns Road.

“There are trees growing in them at this stage, I don’t know what the NTA’s rules are on roundabouts, but I’ve been told you should be able to have full view across the roundabout.”

He said that in both these locations “you can’t see a thing in front of you, it’s definitely dangerous, it’s a safety issue.”

The traffic lights on the Inner Relief Road roundabout are also “constantly calling red,” said the Cathaoirleach, asking for the council to look at the lights sequencing on the pedestrian crossing.

"There are three large trees on this roundabout, you can’t see a thing, it definitely needs to be looked at.”

Patrick Callan, Executive Engineer at Louth County Council said the local authority are hoping to get funding through from the NTA this year for bus stop renewals, although the exact locations had to be confirmed.

He added that there was a list already drawn up but, “If there are added locations we will take them on board.”

A contract has been approved for upgrading landscaping, and there are a couple of roundabouts in Dundalk which the council intend to carry out works on.

He said it was noted that there are visibility issues on these particular roundabouts.

He also acknowledged that there are problems with the traffic lights on the Inner Relief Road.

Cllr. Nash was told the traffic lights highlighted have been referred to the contractor as they are “constantly calling red.”