N2 junction lights cause major delays for commuters

The controversial new traffic light scheme at the Primatestown junction on the N2, near Ashbourne, received the approval of the elected members of Meath County Council, the Gardai and the National Roads Authority (NRA), Meath County Council said in a statement this week. The traffic lights on the national primary route became the centre of controversy when switched on last week, having been initially welcomed by local politicians who immediately had to call the lights into question when major traffic jams began building up on the main route from the North and Slane to Ashbourne and Dublin. This caused the route to be featured on radio traffic bulletins for a number of days. Having originally welcomed the lights and safety works, Deputy Mary Wallace later said it appeared the timings on the traffic lights would need to be altered to accommodate traffic on the main N2 so that the traffic flows more smoothly. "A number of people have contacted me in relation to the new traffic lights at Primatestown/Coolfore which were switched on last Wednesday 16th December," she said. "Commuters on the main N2 have experienced unrealistic delays, particularly at peak times. I understand that some motorists have resorted to using the back roads in the area over the past couple of days due to the frustration with the long traffic delays. As safety is of the utmost importance, I have contacted Meath County Council and the NRA and I have asked them to look into the timings at the traffic lights to ensure no unnecessary delays," the Meath East TD said. Deputy Shane McEntee suggested that the new traffic lights on the N2 should be turned off until roadworks on the old N3 have been finished and the new M3 motorway is ready to open. Speaking after commuters experienced massive delays, Deputy McEntee said it was unfair for motorists and hard-pressed commuters to be penalised with yet more delays on yet another Meath route. He said: "The current situation is out of control. Hard-pressed commuters as well as locals are suffering because these new lights are causing major tailbacks. People should realise that many motorists are using the N2 because of ongoing roadworks in Blanchardstown and on the N3. It's just not fair to turn on the new traffic lights at Primatestown, adding major delays on the road, when other routes across Meath are already blocked. "Someone needs to get sense on this matter," Deputy McEntee added. "I have spoken to Meath's Road Safety Officer who is holding discussions with the relevant authorities. But I believe the new traffic lights on the N2 should be turned off immediately, and not turned on again until the M3 is ready and the N3 is clear of major roadworks." Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fail TD, said: "This is a particularly dangerous section of the N2 and road safety there has become a matter of great concern to everyone in the area. Road safety has to be a priority but we have to ensure also that there are no unnecessary delays for the travelling public along this busy commuter route. The delays seem to be just too long. Residents had expressed those concerns to me before the lights went on." Cllr Seamus O'Neill of Duleek said: "I have received numerous phone calls and emails in relation to the new traffic lights. There seems to be a delay or the timing is wrong. Commuters have an extra 20 to 30 minutes extra on their travel time due to these lights. This needs to be addressed. A lot of people say that the lights are not needed and street lights at Kilmoon Cross and a bus shelter would have been better spent." Labour Party activist John King in Ashbourne said the lights are having a disastrous effect on Bus Eireann services to Kilmoon Cross and Duleek. "This, in turn, produces a knock-on effect on other services," he said. "Delays of up to an hour are being experienced on some services." In response, Meath County Council said the junction had numerous accidents recorded at it. The council had considerable consultation with the NRA before selecting traffic controls (lights) as the preferred solution. The project went through the statutory Part 8 planning process, where public consultation and submissions were invited, and it received the approval of the members of Meath County Council, the Gardai and the NRA. The speed limit at the junction was reduced through the relevant statutory procedure, and public consultation and submissions were invited. The primary aim of the scheme is to increase safety of all road users at this junction, said the council. Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) have been in place north and south of the junction for the past two weeks warning motorists of the date when the lights would come into operation. The council said that with the commissioning of the lights, it is inevitable that some level of disruption will occur to through traffic travelling along the N2. The NRA and Meath County Council believe that this disruption is acceptable in promoting the road safety of all road users, it added.