Zebra style crossing in centre of Athboy would help ease traffic tailbacks in the town - Bray

A CALL has been made to replace the existing pedestrian crossing in Athboy in a bid to tackle traffic gridlock in the town.

Cllr Mike Bray has called for the push button pedestrian crossing to be replaced with a zebra style crossing in a bid to reduce the tailbacks of traffic regularly experienced in the town.

Cllr Bray says the existing crossing stops traffic for too long, leading to long delays and congestion.

“Most weekdays during rush hour traffic between 4.30pm to 6.30pm there can be long delays in Athboy with tailbacks coming from the Kells Road / Navan end into the town,” said Cllr Bray.

“Many local people and businesses in Athboy believe that a zebra style pedestrian crossing would work better as it would improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the centre of town.

“The existing push button traffic light crossing system can hold traffic up for about 30 seconds each time it is activated, when it probably takes most pedestrians only a few seconds to cross the road.

“I have raised this with the council on a number of occasions.

“There are lots of pedestrians who, when crossing in the centre of Athboy, don’t press the button as they are aware of the backlog it can contribute to. This creates safety issues for pedestrians and shoppers in Athboy crossing the Main Street.”

Cllr Bray acknowledged the traffic going in and out of car parks and buses stopping also contribute to the congestion but “If a zebra style crossing was installed at the main crossing point in the centre of town this would assist with the traffic flow and backlog problems in Athboy and also allow people to cross the street safely.

“With a raised zebra crossing, a motorist can see when somebody is crossing and stop, but can then continue on as soon as they are across. It usually just takes a few seconds, but the existing push button pedestrian crossing system can hold traffic up for about 30 seconds.”

At a recent meeting of Kells Municipal Council, Cllr Bray called on Meath County Council provide an update on the for installation of a new zebra style pedestrian crossing, pointing out he had proposed a motion on the issue in 2023.

He was told that options for the Athboy Public Realm Scheme were currently being developed and these include the provision of additional crossings along Athboy Main Street. It is anticipated that the preferred option will be put on public display early in the second quarter of this year.

Cllr Bray welcomed the news that the public realm plan was now being progressed and hoped that a new zebra style crossing would be part of the process.

The public realm plan will also look at parking and other safety measures in the town, as well as addressing the issue of a bus stop.

The plan is aimed at “enhancing pedestrian movement, exploring new connections and linking amenity spaces. In addition the street scene should be enhanced by improving the layout, pedestrian crossings and car parking along with protecting the existing trees and vegetation.”