National funding cuts have stalled progress on many projects, meeting hears

A number of proposed Active Travel projects in Dundalk appear to be “sitting on a shelf” despite years of planning and statutory processes, councillors have warned.

The concerns were raised at September’s meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, where members were asked to consider a Part 8 application for a proposed Active Travel scheme at Hoey’s Lane.

Cllr. Maeve Yore acknowledged the work which had been carried out to advance active travel schemes in recent years.

But she asked if there were methods to “expediate” any of the projects which had not progressed.

In relation to the proposed Active Travel Scheme on Hoey’s Lane, she said plans to remove the left turn at the junction would severely impact traffic flow in the area.

Questions about funding were also raised by Cllr Marianne Butler, who asked council officials if there was “any sign of any money” to enable Active Travel projects in Dundalk to move forward.

Speaking on the Hoey’s Lane scheme – which she said she was happy to support – Cllr. Butler noted that the necessary statutory procedures had been completed but queried what would happen next.

“Is it just going to sit on the shelf?”

An update was needed on other schemes, including the proposed work at the Xerox junction, and the Dublin Road, said Cllr. Butler.

“Five or six years ago we sat in this chamber and were told the council were not going to resurface the Dublin Road because an Active Travel project was planned,” she added.

Cllr. Butler called for the government to fund the schemes which have not advanced.

A council spokesman told the meeting that there had been “some good news” as the NTA has updated some of its guidelines which would effectively reduce the number of stages smaller projects have to go through before they are approved.

He added that local authorities would now have “more authority” to expedite smaller projects.

He confirmed the left-hand turn will be removed from Hoey’s Lane as part of the scheme, but the junction would now be fully signalled with traffic lights.

The meeting heard that the proposed works at the Xerox junction are currently advancing through the tender process.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme