Calls for ‘urgent ‘ footpath near site of new Applegreen and Taco Bell in Meath fall on deaf ears
There was no pedestrian access included in the original planning permission for the new Applegreen service station in Meath, councillors have been told.
The Dunshaughlin facility, a €15m investment by Applegreen, also features Ireland’s first Taco Bell restaurant.
As concerns grow over the safety of residents walking on the R125, the issue was raised at the November meeting of Ratoath Municipal District by Independent Councillor Yvonne Everard, who called on the council to install a footpath from the Drumree Road to the service station “as a matter of urgency”.
However, council officials told members that the service station was approved by An Bord Pleanála on the basis that it would serve motorway users only, and not local pedestrian traffic.
They said: “No provision was made in the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála for this service station to be accessible on foot."
"Permission was granted on the basis that the service station was for motorway users. It is situated in an 80kmh zone, just under a kilometre from the nearest footpath and approximately 2.5 kilometres from the centre of Dunshaughlin.”
The Transportation Safety Section said it has engaged with local Gardaí and with schools in the area, asking them to "discourage” students from walking along the 80kmh road.
The council added that it “cannot contravene planning permission or encourage pedestrian access in an 80kmh zone” and stated that it “will not be providing a footpath at this location at this time.”
The new service station, located off Junction 6 on the M3, has become a popular stop for motorists.
At the October meeting of the district, Councillors were all in agreement that "urgent action” is needed to ensure pedestrian safety at the busy site.
Cllr Everard said the installation of a footpath should have been included as a condition of the planning permission granted to Applegreen.
"A footpath is needed here. These things must be attended to, and more consistency is needed in planning,” she said at the time.