Local petition is launched to seek an upgrade of the N2

THE N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Concerned Residents Group are raising a petition to ask people to support an upgrade of the existing N2.

“We commissioned engineering and environmental reports to assess the impact of all 3 route options as proposed by Jacobs engineering and Monaghan County Council. The conclusion of the engineering report was that the existing N2 road is a prime candidate for a 2+1 type 3 Carriageway upgrade, similar to the section between Castleblayney and Clontibret. This route would be viable and futureproofed to TII’s projected traffic volumes up to 2050,’ says spokesperson for the resident’s group, Emma Payne.

“If a new route is chosen, the N2 will be downgraded to a regional road and will not change, so the issues there will remain.

“We also believe that residents on the current N2 could be easily accomodated as there is sufficient room on many sections of the N2 to allow for this type of upgrade. Residents could be provided with far safer access to the exising road through engineering solutions and access roads.

‘ This would assure security to businesses on the N2, such as Dooley’s restaurant in Edmondstown and Wendy’s Whistle Stop that rely on passing traffic for the majority of their trade, safeguarding much needed employment and revenue in the area.

‘ The envrionmental report expressed concerns about the negative impact of new routes on water quality, biodiversity and the increased potential for flooding.”

N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Concerned Residents Group is a combination of voluntary community based groups in the South Monaghan and North-West Louth areas which was formed in response to concerns about the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road Scheme.

Monaghan County Council in partnership with Louth County Council and in association withTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are developing the scheme in order to upgrade a 32km section of the N2/ A5 Dublin-Derry Road.