A new pedestrian crossing should be installed on Dundalk’s Park Street to improve safety for elderly people, families with young children and patients attending a new GP surgery, a local councillor has said.
The call was made by Cllr. Emma Coffey at the September meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, where she urged Louth County Council to examine the possibility of introducing a designated crossing along the busy town centre street.
Cllr. Coffey said the lack of a safe crossing point was creating difficulties for many pedestrians, particularly older residents and parents pushing buggies and prams.
“There is a lot of elderly, and people with buggies and prams are trying to get across that road, and the nearest pedestrian crossing is up at Grant’s shop or the old Dunnes Stores, which is too far for a lot of people,” she told the meeting.
She said the issue had become more pressing following the opening of a new GP surgery on the street, which is attracting additional footfall from patients who may have mobility issues.
Cllr. Coffey suggested that a raised pedestrian crossing could provide a safer route for pedestrians while also helping to slow traffic in the area.
“It is great to see businesses coming back into Park Street, and I know Dundalk BIDS have been doing a lot of work on that, but I think a new raised crossing should be looked at,” she said.
The discussion also touched on long-running calls to remove taxi bays on Park Street.
Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Shane McGuinness sought an update on requests to remove the ranks, arguing that motorists feel they can’t use the spaces for parking during the day.
Cllr Coffey said the issue had been up for discussion “since Covid” and should now be addressed.
Responding on behalf of the council, a spokesperson said the request for a pedestrian crossing would be referred to the roads section for consideration.
He added that a survey would need to be carried out to assess whether a suitable location exists and to determine the feasibility of installing a crossing on the street.
Seperately, Cllr. Maeve Yore asked if there was any update on plans for regeneration of Park Street.
The meeting heard the council has made an application for funding to look at Park Street “in its totality” and assess what kind of public realm interventions would be suitable.
The local authority is awaiting the outcome of the application.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme