Major Louth ‘Active Travel’ scheme unveiled as council give planning notice

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A major Active Travel Scheme along one of Dundalk’s busiest roads has taken a significant step forward with a Part 8 Planning Notice published this week by Louth County Council.

The local authority has given notice of its intention to carry out development works at R132 Dublin Road, Dundalk as part of a project funded by the National Transport Authority.

It is proposed to install "high-quality segregated pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to improve safety and promote Active Travel along the R132 Dublin Road, Dundalk from Greengates Junction (R132, L-7162, R172 intersection) heading northwards towards the Xerox Junction (R215, R132 intersection) for a length of c. 2.8km.

Plans for the scheme also include proposals to upgrade junctions along the entire route to provide safer pedestrian and cycle crossings and to provide additional pedestrian and cycling crossings at identified desire lines along the route.

It is proposed to upgrade all entrances along the route to better facilitate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists, and upgrade existing bus stops on this stretch of road, providing improved facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists

The plan is to connect to existing upgraded walking/cycling facilities along with improvements of landscaping and biodiversity along the full length of the scheme.

In accordance with S.I. 476, 2011, Section 250, Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations, 2011 and S.I. 296, 2018 European Union (Planning and Development) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2018, Louth County Council has carried out screenings and has determined the following:

The preliminary assessment concludes that the project is not expected to cause any significant adverse effects, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects. Therefore, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is not required for the project.

There is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment so therefore the preliminary assessment has concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report is not required.

Any person may, within four weeks from the date of the notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for an EIA screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development may be inspected or purchased, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, from Tuesday 9th December, 2025 to Tuesday 20th January, 2026 inclusive at the offices of Louth County Council, as noted below during public opening hours at:

Louth County Council, County Hall, Millennium Centre, Marshes Lower, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 KFW6 and

Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 W20C

Plans and particulars will also be available to view online at https://planning.localgov.ie/en

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, clearly marked Part 8 Active Travel Scheme - R132 Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth (Xerox Junction to Greengates) may be made on or before 5:00pm on Tuesday 3rd February, 2026 either in writing to Louth County Council, County Hall, Millennium Centre, Dundalk, or via National Part 8 Planning Portal https://planning.localgov.ie/en.