Notorious bend to be removed at Laytown National School
November 1987
A 15 year battle to have a dangerous corner removed has finally been won in Laytown.
Parents feared a tragic accident would have to occur before a blind corner, on which Laytown national school is built, would be altered by Meath County Council.
“Parents are very concerned. A child could be killed or injured running in our out of the school gates Community groups have been trying to get something done about that bend for more than 15 years now without success,” said Valerie Moore, chairperson of the school’s parents association.
The association wrote to Meath’s three Dail deputies and all the local councillors in an effort to finally get some action on the 15 year old road work plans. They obtained a commitment that work will begin in a months time.
More than 500 children attend Laytown primary school. The school’s main entrance is just around a sharp, blind bend.
The road works will eat into a portion of the children’s playing fields. The corner will be straightened but not entirely removed. This will improve visability and ensure that motorists must slow down as they approach the school entrance. A number of traffic warning signs will also be erected.
Explaining the delay in getting the road works under way local Fine Gael councillor Tom Kelly said that the County Council had a number of difficulties. “We reached an agreement with the landowner. The Council then had to coordinate work between the roads department, the ESB and the Post Office.”