Funding application for safety works at Rathmolyon junction

Some minor works including the erection of additional signage have been carried out by Meath County Council at the dangerous junction in Rathmolyon village, while a funding application has been made to the Department of Transport for safety improvement works next year.

A spate of accidents where motorists were driving straight through the crossroads prompted serious concerns locally amid fears that there would be a fatality or serious collision at the junction.

Meath County Council says that all existing signage has been reviewed and signage on the Trim approach to the junction was specifically checked and the existing electronic signage, that was installed a number of years ago, was re-calibrated to activate at lower vehicle speeds so that it activates when approached by almost all vehicles.

"Following a review by our road safety officer, Meath County Council, has now erected chevron signage to break the perceived visual line of both walls that may have created an illusion for some drivers approaching from Trim that the road was a through road rather than a crossroad junction," a spokesperson said.

"The council has made an application for funding to the Department of Transport for safety improvement works at the Junction for 2022. In the interim, the council will continue to review the junction."

This involves the transportation section monitoring and assessing the junction over the next number of weeks using specific conflict assessment software. "The council will consider the traffic conflicts identified under this ongoing assessment and will use this information to inform any specific decision and subsequent designs on what further additional safety measures might be appropriate," the spokesperson said.

While the recent measures have been welcomed, locals say more needs to be done, particularly to tackle speeding in the village.

Local shopkeeper Christy Ryan, who has been campaigning for something to be done with the junction for years, said: "The signage isn't a whole lot but at least they are thinking in the right direction. I would like to see more done next year to make it safer. We've got away a month without any accidents but that doesn't mean it is not going to happen again.

“There is a certain amount of luck involved and people are still telling me they are seeing people driving through the crossroads. There is still the potential there for a serious accident."