Why are chicanes favoured in Meath and it’s speed ramps for County Louth
OFFICIALS SAY CARS DAMAGED AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES HAMPERED
QUESTIONS were raised at the recent Laytown/Bettystown area council meeting as to why Meath CC favour chicanes as road safety measures, compared to Louth CC who install ramps.
The debate arose after it was revealed that two chicanes are to be installed in the Coney Hall estate in Mornington.
As part of a review of housing estates that have a 30km/h speed limit, it was found that speeding is an issue in the estate and calming measures have been called for.
A public consultation process is now underway in which residents can have their say on the proposals.
But the issue of chicanes, rather than ramps, raised questions.
Cllr Stephen McKee said there was also a problem with speed in Millmount Abbey, but they had gone against chicanes in favour of ramps. ‘But I was told Meath CC were not putting in ramps,’ he stated. ‘Why do Louth CC put them in instead of chicanes?’
He was told by council officials that vehicles were being damaged due to ramps and it caused particular problems for emergency vehicles.
‘We follow national guidelines,’ the officlal added.
The chicanes for Coney Hall will be similar to Inse Bay in Laytown (pictured)
Cllr Sharon Tolan said concerns about chicanes were a ‘myth’ and they work. ‘ They are designed to slow traffic,’ she remarked.
She said she gets complaints from people living close to speed bumps as they cause a lot of noise and they prove difficult for emergency vehicles.