Ban on HGVs through Duleek village fails to carry weight

The introduction of a ban on heavy goods vehicles in Duleek would not be possible at this time, a local councillor has been told.

Fianna Fail Cllr Stephen McKee made the call at meetings of the county council called to discuss the Draft County Development Plan 2021-2027. Officials said that such a ban would not come within the scope of the development plan.

Director of Services Des Foley said that the council had consulted with the gardai about traffic conditions in the town. He said that one of the factors to be considered was the effect a ban on HGVs would have other roads taking the diverted heavy traffic. The councillor got support from Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Meade who said that the town had a serious traffic problem. Cllr McKee withdrew his motion at the development plan meeting, saying that he would pursue the matter at a local level.

Separately, it was agreed that some land zoning at Duleek Business Park be changed from ‘open space’ to ‘general enterprise’ while maintaining a protective buffer zone of at least 10 metres to protect existing hedgerows, trees and the residential amenity of neighbouring residential properties.

The provision of stronger public transport links in Athboy was also discussed by councillors. Fianna Fail Cllr Mike Bray called on the council to work with the National Transport Authority, Bus Eireann and other organisations to improve public transport, especially the link between Athboy and Dublin.

Officials said that the council was strongly committed to the promotion of sustainable means of transport and a switch from cars to other transport means and while it was not responsible for public transport provision, it would work with other agencies to improve public transport within and from the county.