Julianstown Traffic Management Scheme set to move forward after council approval

Julianstown is finally moving closer to the delivery of long-awaited traffic calming measures, after the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District Meeting approved a motion calling on Meath County Council to proceed to tender for the construction of the R132 Traffic Management Scheme.

The scheme was originally scheduled for 2023 but was postponed due to Uisce Éireann’s Stamullen Kiltrough to Balloy Project, which will involve major pipelaying works along the R132 through Julianstown. While these works were initially expected to begin in early 2024, repeated delays have pushed the anticipated start date to at least the first quarter of 2026.

Speaking after the meeting, Fine Gael Councillor Sharon Tolan, who tabled the motion, said:

“Residents of Julianstown have been waiting far too long for meaningful action on traffic management. The repeated delays to the Uisce Éireann project have left the community in limbo, with road safety and quality of life continuing to be negatively impacted by heavy traffic volumes. By pushing for Meath County Council to go to tender now, I am determined that we seize the opportunity to deliver the traffic calming measures this village urgently needs.”

In addition to the traffic calming scheme, Meath County Council has commissioned consultants to carry out a feasibility study for a Julianstown Traffic Relief Scheme, formerly known as the Julianstown Bypass Scheme. The study will consider additional traffic calming measures within the village as part of the option selection stage, pending approval from the Department of Transport on preliminary business case studies.

Cllr. Tolan added:

“This is about putting the safety and well-being of Julianstown residents first. We cannot allow further delays to hold back progress. This motion is a crucial step in ensuring that the Traffic Management Scheme is finally delivered.”

The approval marks a significant step forward for Julianstown residents, who have endured years of uncertainty regarding traffic safety and congestion along the busy R132.