Road closures in Ratoath set to impact bus commuters

Fears that the proposed closure of the Ballybin Road in Ratoath for a six week period will cause problems for bus commuters have been expressed by a local councillor.

Cllr Nick Killian said the road closure has greatly worried bus users and he will be talking to Bus Eireann, Meath County Council and developers Glenveagh to see if something can be done to help commuters using the 103 and 109A bus routes.

Meath County Council will be closing the L-5018, Ballybin Road, from its junction with the R-125 for approximately 500m.

The proposed closure will be from 7am on Thursday, 16th July to midnight on Monday, 31st August, for 24 hrs per day.

The closure is required to facilitate the installation of services and a new road junction layout on behalf of Glenveagh Homes Ltd.

The works include the realignment of Ballybin Road, the replacement of the existing roundabout with a signalised junction, footpaths, cycleways, drainage and public lighting upgrades. The scheme is required to address an already congested junction and will deliver significant improvements in traffic flow, road safety and overall network capacity in the area.

Diversions will be in place with Ratoath bound traffic at Rath Cross taking R-135 southbound through Ashbourne to Ninemilestone Roundabout and then the R-125 exit for Ratoath.

Ashbourne bound traffic will take R-125 eastbound at R-125/L-5018 junction to Ninemilestone Roundabout, take R-135 exit for Ashbourne, continue on R-135 through Ashbourne to Rath Cross.

Diversion signs will be in place. Local access for residents and property holders will be facilitated with access up to the closure location throughout the closure period.

Meath County council has acknowledged that the duration of the proposed closure is of concern; however, this timeframe reflects the scale and complexity of the works involved and is necessary to ensure the project can be completed in a safe and efficient manner.

"While disruption to traffic is unavoidable, a carefully considered diversion route has been selected to minimise the wider impacts. Alternative routes were assessed but deemed unsuitable due to existing traffic volumes and network constraints. The are other improvement works planned for Ratoath including the resurfacing the town centre (SuperValu) junction and the R-125 Dunshaughlin road and this was taken into consideration when selecting the preferred dates.

"The Council will also endeavour to avoid carrying out other works on the diversion route during the closure period to ensure it remains fully operational."

Bus Eireann has indicated that the Ballybin, Ashbourne Centre stops 10118 and 101241 will not operate during the closure,

The following stops may be used as an alternative - the Ballybin Road Rath Cross stop 100971 and Rath Cross stop 101481.