Meath Representatives call for review of ‘narrow’ urban roads amid local concerns
Meath representatives are calling for a review of the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), the framework used by Meath County Council to guide the design of urban roads.
The request follows growing concerns that recently developed roads in the county are “too narrow”, posing safety issues and causing damage to landscaping and verges.
The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, first published in 2013 and revised in 2019, was developed collaboratively by the Department of Transport and the Department of Housing. It aims to promote safe, accessible, and vibrant urban streets with a focus on sustainable transport.
Sinn Féin representatives Darren O'Rourke TD and Cllr. Fionnan Blake highlighted this issue in relation to road works on the Dunshaughlin to Ratoath road, where reinstated grass verges along the road have been repeatedly damaged by large vehicles.
In Ashbourne, long-standing concerns remain around the Rath Cross and Ballybin junctions, where heavy goods vehicles often mount the verges to complete turns.
“Towns right across the county are facing major issues with narrow roads due to road design guidelines that simply don't work,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“There have been hundreds of complaints from constituents about these new, narrow and unsafe roads.”
“It's immediately obvious to everyone that these roads are too narrow,” he said.
“In Ashbourne, millions of euros were spent on new roads that can't facilitate rigid or articulated lorries to manoeuvre without mounting the verge.”
The Meath East TD added: “It is very frustrating. I have raised this with the NTA and the Department of Transport and will continue to push for a review of these guidelines. They don't work and they need to be updated to take account of the real-world experience.”
Dunshaughlin-based councillor Fionnan Blake echoed the concern, saying visible tyre imprints on grass and footpaths are now common.
“It's exactly the same in Dunshaughlin, now, with the works on the Ratoath road. There are visible imprints on grass and footpaths of large vehicle tyres. Well landscaped areas are being destroyed. The current situation cannot continue. Some cop on is needed to make sustainable and effective changes to our roads.”
“The roads are too narrow and they are a hazard. With the current design, lorries, trucks, buses and tractors can't manoeuvre, particularly when they meet another large vehicle, without mounting the verge,” Cllr Blake added.