Meath town’s traffic, safety and bus-stop issues targeted in new public realm plan
A public realm plan for Athboy is expected to go on public consultation in the coming months, a local councillor has said.
Survey markings that have appeared across the town’s footpaths and roads in recent weeks are part of extensive preparations for the overhaul, with engineers mapping underground infrastructure and measuring street levels in advance of the draft plan.
Independent councillor David Gilroy said the Public Realm Plan will examine how the town’s streets and public areas are used and how they can be redesigned to improve safety, accessibility and the overall quality of the town centre.
“This plan is due to go on display for public consultation in the coming months. It will include the much-needed additional pedestrian crossings, some of which are expected to be delivered this year, including upgrades to the existing main crossing on Main Street,” Cllr Gilroy said on social media.
“It will also seriously look at parking and safety measures. I and others have been working hard to address the road safety issues that come with the N51 and R154 (Trim Road and Connaught Street) and Kildalkey Road, and they look set to finally land in 2026.”
“The much-anticipated bus-stop problem is also finally expected to be addressed in the 2026 works.”
He added: “I strongly encourage you to get involved in the Public Realm consultation process. Don’t just leave it to others.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Mike Bray said he will continue to press for additional crossings on the N51, including at O’Growney Street and near the Clann na nGael grounds on the Kells Road.
“These locations require approval from TII, which has not yet been granted, but I continue to advocate for them given the volume of traffic and population at these locations,” he said.
Cllr Bray also renewed his push for the redesignation of the town-centre pedestrian crossing from a push-button signalised system to a zebra crossing, though “this is not currently being approved by the relevant authorities”.
“I tabled a motion on this previously and have again raised the need for this to be considered,” he added.