Senator Alison Comyn Urges Urgent Safety Upgrades on Ardee’s R165–R167 Corridor
By ArdeePost Reporter
Local representative Senator Alison Comyn has called on Louth County Council to urgently prioritise road safety upgrades between Shanlis Cross and the N2, following safety concerns from residents and a history of serious accidents on the busy R165‑R167 corridor.
Local Concerns Over Unsafe Roads
At a public meeting, Senator Comyn warned:
“The road network from Shanlis Cross to Blakestown Cross, through Oberstown and Ballapousta, is no longer fit for purpose. Residents have raised concerns about speeding vehicles, blind junctions, and inadequate infrastructure for a now densely populated residential hub.”
Her statement comes after meetings with constituents across Collon, Ballapousta, and Ardee, where alarming issues such as ** speeding trucks**, dangerous junctions like Oberstown Cross, and a lack of footpaths and cycleways were highlighted .
🚧 Priority Locations for Road Improvements
Senator Comyn pinpointed specific concerns along the stretch:
- Oberstown Cross: A blind junction where HGVs regularly overtake blindly on broken lines .
- Shanlis Cross: Previously the site of multiple fatalities; only partially addressed with a four‑way stop system.
- Blakestown Cross & Ballapousta NS: Residents face daily risks entering/exiting junctions without proper road markings or pedestrian infrastructure .
- Cycle and pedestrian safety: No formal walking or cycling lanes along busy, expanding residential zones .
- Heavy traffic volumes: The route functions as a bypass for Sligo-bound trucks and gravel lorries, increasing danger and noise .
🛑 Policy Levers & River of Support
Senator Comyn urged Council to:
- Lower speed limits on rural stretches—from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and from 80 km/h to 60 km/h—under new national policy .
- Realign junctions at Oberstown, install continuous lines, and introduce traffic calming like rumble strips .
- Construct safe pedestrian paths and cycle lanes, including near Ballapousta NS, utilizing locally offered land .
- Engage local communities and schools in shaping safety plans before the development of a Western Bypass.
Senator Comyn emphasised:
“This isn’t about inconvenience—it’s about protecting lives, safeguarding families, and ensuring this community’s roads are as safe as any in the country.”
🔄 Wider Road Safety Efforts
Her campaign echoes similar road safety calls across Louth, from Collon’s N2 junction, to School Lane in Ardee, and near Donacarney NS, where parents have also demanded improved lighting and crossings . In all cases, increasing traffic density and speeding have sparked fears of potential tragedies.
📆 What Happens Now?
- Louth County Council is expected to consider a speed‑limit order, currently under review, including Oberstown and other risk areas .
- Senator Comyn plans further engagement with local engineers and active travel teams to explore immediate measures this summer.
- Communities across Shanlis, Ballapousta, Collon, and Oberstown await council responses—and press for swift action before any more accidents occur.
⚠️ With traffic volume rising and the risk of serious incidents increasing daily, Senator Comyn stresses that now is the time for decisive action—before it’s too late.
