Kells sees new safety measures in place for pedestrians

Kells will be a much safer place for pedestrians in the months ahead, as three new pedestrian crossings are being installed in the town.

Work is due to start this week on a new pedestrian crossing at Headfort Place in the area outside the Credit Union.

As part of works to upgrade the area, which will include providing disability access to the Credit Union building, a pedestrian crossing will also be installed on the Kenlis Place (Back Street) side of the junction. Cllr Sean Drew has welcomed the work, which he said would be a great benefit to pedestrians.

“A further pedestrian crossing is currently being designed for Bective Square to be located at the bottom of Suffolk Street. “The works are due to go out for tender shortly and hopefully this additional new crossing will be installed later this year.”

Cllr Drew explained that the pedestrian crossing which was part of the new safety measures installed at the schools on the Navan Road, would shortly be fully operational.

He said he had also made representations for further safety measures in Kells.

“I have made a formal request to Meath County Council Transportation Department to survey the existing pedestrian crossings on the various routes into Kells town, with a view to incorporating/installing raised tables/ramps at each crossing. “This would have the impact of reducing the speed of vehicles as the approach the crossings, while simultaneously improving the safety of pedestrians using the crossings. Most of the existing pedestrian crossings in Kells form part of the safe route of children from all parts of town walking to the schools complex on the Navan Road.”

He said this that this work could be done as a project under the Active Travel Scheme.

Cllr Drew said he has been pursuing the council's Planning Department regarding the preparation of a Public Realm Plan for Kells Town centre.

“This plan will have as part of its remit, improved pedestrian safety and accessibility in and around the streets and road junctions in the centre of the town.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Drew has called for the installation of a pedestrian crossing on the Main Street in Carlanstown village. “The village has increased in size and population dramatically over the past 10 years.”

“Carlanstown is now a much larger settlement with housing estates and retail shops on both sides of the Main Street, resulting in a substantial number of pedestrians, young and old, crossing the road many times daily.

“From a safety perspective a crossing is urgently required and I will continue to pursue this issue with the relevant authorities,” he said.