Pedestrian access through narrow road to new estate causing safety concerns
RESIDENTS of Old Dawson’s Demesne in Ardee (right) have lodged an objection to An Bord Pleanala after Louth CC granted permission for 70 extra homes at Castleguard Manor, lands neighbouring the estate.
It is expected that a decision on the appeal won’t be made until February 20, 2018.
The main concern expressed in the applications is the proposed pedestrian access from the estate into Ardee town via the narrow road at Old Dawson’s.
‘It has been described by officials as a ‘sub standard road’. There are no footpaths and there is no provision to provide same,’ one submission reads.
‘Louth County Council are not catering for the safety needs of these pedestrians and in allowing pedestrians access through Old Dawson’s Demesne, they are putting lives at risk.
They also say the safety of residents will also be compromised by allowing such access.
They say that bin lorries, oil lorries and other big vehicles have to reverse down the lane on a daily basis already and adding more people to the lane will increase the risk of an accident. They say there are safer routes available to use as part of the development.
They also fear anti-social behaviour and noise pollution.
Complaints have also come from Campbell’s Park and both areas have been impacted by increased pedestrian traffic from Clonmore, leading to an increase in ‘noise pollution, vandalism and anti-social behaviour during the day and night.’
‘ The roads in Campbell’s Park are extremely narrow and so are the footpaths and residents have to park their cars on the footpaths to allow vehicles to pass, leaving pedestrians having to walk on the road. Alternative safe routes are available and should be considered due to health and safety,’ another application explained.
Another concern is that the proposal goes against the Age Friendly County Programme.
‘Many of the residents of Old Dawsons’s Demesne are elderly and are now facing the prospect of declining health due to stress brought on by Louth CC forcing this pedestrian access on them and are now in fear of anti-social behaviour and noise pollution with the substantially increased pedestrian activity,’ one complaint explained.