N2 traffic chaos 'ignored' by Transport Authority

PAUL MURPHY

An allegation that Transport Infrastructure Ireland is unwilling to do anything about the traffic “chaos” at the Primatestown junction on the N2 has been made by a Sinn Fein councillor.

Darren O’Rourke has claimed that in correspondence dating back to June of last year, and only now disclosed, there is confirmation that the authority is unwilling to do anything to alleviate the long delays experienced by drivers because it is constrained by funding and by Government priorities.
Cllr O’Rourke said that in the letter to Meath County Council Chief Executive Jackie Maguire, the authority said “we are extremely limited in what we can do in the context of the funding that is available to TII during the period to 2021 and, in particular, the requirement to direct that funding towards the development of the priority schemes that have been identified by Government”.
The letter, issued in response to a request for funding made by the council, goes on to say that there is the “expectation that emerging priorities will lead to an increase in investment in certain areas in 2017”.
The issue was discussed at the October meeting of the Ashbourne Municipal District when councillors agreed to write to the Minister for Transport Shane Ross to request an urgent meeting on the matter.
Cllr O’Rourke said: “Notwithstanding the fact that it is simply outrageous that councillors have had to wait almost 18 months to see this correspondence, the letter itself from TII sets out the position very clearly, in my opinion, and shows to anyone who might have doubted it, where the responsibility lies.
“This is a problem of central not local government. It is a question of priorities and it is a question of funding - both matters which are under the complete control of central government. Despite the reference to ‘expectations’ of increased investment in 2017, it is also clear that N2 Primatestown-Kilmoon is still not on the agenda.
Cllr O’Rourke said that everyone agreed that no amount of tinkering with the layout of these junctions would resolve the issue.
He said the traffic lights had been configures at “maximum” flow but still there were huge tailbacks”.

Are you one of the many frustrated motorists sitting in lengthy tailbacks each day?  We would like to hear from commuters affected by the traffic chaos- email noelle.finegan@meathchronicle.ie or call 046-9079614.