Cllr warns of ‘rat run’ as Slane-Navan road to close

The closure of the Slane to Navan road next month is likely to result in minor roads in the area becoming “rat runs” a local councillor has warned.

The road is due to close from Friday 1st July until Friday 30th September to facilitate the current Dunmoe Phase 2 Realignment Scheme.

The road will be closed at Dunmoe between its junction with the R162 Navan and the R163 Slane, to facilitate the roadworks.

“I am very disappointed at the length of this road closure,” said Cllr Wayne Harding.

“I hope that it can be completed in a shorter time. It will be an enormous inconvenience to all the residents along the route, who have endured an awful lot already.

“It is likely to create rat runs on the minor roads in the area as all these closures tend to do.

“I have huge sympathy for all those affected, but road safety will be increased as a result of this scheme,” he concluded.

Meath County Council is advising eastbound motorists to divert onto the R162 and then turn tight onto the R163, sign posted Drogheda to its junction with the N51. Westbound traffic is advised to turn right onto the R163 at Slane until its junction with with the R162 and continue to its junction with the N51.

Diversion signs will be in place and residents and property holders will be facilitated with access throughout the closure period. Submissions and observations on the scheme should be made to the council on or before 8th June.