Calls for safety measures on Newhaggard Road in Trim

Resident of the Newhaggard Road in Trim warn that lives could be lost on the road, following several recent accidents there.

The residents of the Gallops and Manorlands have raised serious concerns about conditions on the road as they fear that it will take someone’s death before action is taken.

Deputy Johnny Guirke raised the issue of road safety with Meath County Council following several serious accidents that occurred between the graveyard and the Manorlands over the last few years.

“The latest incident happened on Thursday 9th July when a piece of machinery fell out of the back of a trailer causing major damage to two houses as it smashed through the walls, gates and railings. “It was lucky that nobody was using that footpath at the time as it most certainly would have resulted in a fatality.”

Deputy Guirke recalled that in April of last year another trailer came away from the vehicle it was travelling with and collided with a resident’s car at the entry to their home.

“Again it was lucky no one was seriously hurt.

“In 2018 another serious accident could have resulted in a fatality as a driver lost control of their vehicle and mounted the footpath colliding with a wall in the Gallops. Again we were blessed that no one was killed.

“On every occasion the local Gardai attended the incident with residents.”

A petition from the residents in the Gallops and Manorlands is calling on Meath County Council to put in a better road surface to enhance the quality of the Newhaggard road and also to install some traffic calming measures.

“The area in question has the local Trim GAA club, tennis club, Aura Gym, the cemetery, as well as 18 private houses in the Gallops and the Manorlands,” said Deputy Guirke.

“It has seen a huge increase in people walking since the lockdown and it has many children out cycling too.

“Meath County Council has been in touch with me in relation to my concern and has arranged for traffic and speed surveys to be carried out on this road and will also consider this stretch of road for improvements when the roadworks programme is reviewed. “The road has a 50km speed limit and this part will need to be taken up with local gardai,” he said.