Fresh public engagement urged over Julianstown traffic-relief plans

A CALL for a fresh public-engagement process on the proposed Julianstown Traffic Relief Scheme received majority support from Laytown/Bettystown councillors at September’s Municipal District Meeting.

Fianna Fáil councillor Stephen McKee said the options currently presented had neither public nor political support locally, amid ongoing concerns about the proposed routes and their potential impact on homes, farms and the surrounding community.

His motion did not endorse a particular alternative but called for a wider examination of the available options before a preferred route is selected.

The motion follows a campaign by residents and road users calling for the council to broaden its assessment beyond the four western bypass corridors currently under consideration.

Campaigners have questioned whether alternatives, including a direct M1–R132 connection and changes to M1 toll arrangements, have been fully assessed.

“There are more than 22,000 vehicles per day travelling through Julianstown and there is significant traffic congestion through the village at peak commuter times as local residents know only too well,” Cllr McKee said.

“We need to fully understand why this is the case and explore all options to find the best solutions.”

Independent councillor Carol Lennon said she had been contacted by 39 people about the scheme and stressed that the motion should not be interpreted as opposition to a traffic-relief scheme or a bypass.

She said residents needed access to a full appraisal of the options and an explanation of why the current options had been selected.

Fianna Fáil councillor Wayne Harding said he would not be “hypocritical” about opposing a bypass, given his involvement in helping to get the Slane bypass over the line.

“In light of the obvious concern within the community, I support this motion and the intention to exhaust all avenues to get a successful outcome for Julianstown’s traffic problems,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan said she supported progressing a bypass in Julianstown, arguing that the village could not continue to deal with existing traffic pressures as more homes are built in the area.

However, she said the consultation maps had caused concern because the route corridors were so broad, and that the traffic-calming and public-realm measures that could accompany the scheme had not been properly explained to the public.

Cllr Tolan also called for the council to approach the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland about introducing a temporary toll holiday. She said this would allow the council to assess whether removing the toll would reduce traffic through Julianstown and provide useful data for future planning decisions.

Cllr Geraldine Keogan said residents’ views had to be central to the process.

“These people live in the community. That’s what affects their everyday life,” she said, adding that alternatives put forward by residents deserved consideration.

Sinn Féin councillor Maria White also raised concerns about the length and handling of the process, saying local people were being confronted with the potential impact on their homes, farms and communities and that there was a lack of confidence in the current approach.

Independent councillor Paddy Meade said there was no perfect solution to a major infrastructure project, particularly where homes, farms and families could be affected.

“There is no fair resolution, that’s real. No matter what we do, we are wrong in many people’s eyes,” he said.

Council officials defended the technical process to date, explaining that the project remained at an early stage. The broad corridors are not detailed road designs, while issues such as houses, schools, wells and archaeology would be examined in greater detail at later stages.