Impact of Changes to Jocelyn St/Chapel St Junction Reviewed
A joint review by representatives of the National Transport Authority; Dundalk Town Council and Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers has produced a number of recommendations for further minor works on the revised layout of the Jocelyn Street/Chapel Street junction.
Works have been carried out at the junction as part of a major investment in Smarter Travel infrastructure to make journeys safer for pedestrians and cyclists – especially those attending schools in the town.
The review was conducted in mid-July by Michael Aherne, National Transportation Authority; Catherine Duff, Town Engineer, Dundalk Town Council and John Bell, Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers.
On foot of the review, a series of adjustments are being made. These include changed road markings and traffic signals along with a slight widening of the road surface to facilitate access to Chapel St by heavy goods and emergency vehicles.
It has also been agreed that road user behaviour at the location will continue to be monitored – especially when school journeys resume in September. This monitoring will allow a more complete assessment and further action will be taken if necessary. This may include adjusting traffic signal staging, cycle time and splits.
In addition, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has accepted an invitation from Dundalk Town Council to review the entire Smarter Travel infrastructure programme in the town which is to help shape a national rollout across cities and towns.
Commenting on the review, a report on which has been given to the members of Dundalk Town Council, Catherine Duff said: “The analysis of this important junction has been very useful and generated some valuable adjustments that we can now make to ensure that the junction is as safe as possible for all road users.
“There is always a careful balance to be struck in this type of work between the competing requirements of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Overall, our programme to make the town safer for cyclists and pedestrians is having a positive impact on safety. As a pilot project for the country, we’re delighted that the NTA has agreed to review the wider work and to contribute to our information and public awareness campaign which will run throughout the next school year.
“We are particularly encouraged by the interest among school-going young people and their parents in the steps being taken to make walking or cycling to school a more viable and safer option. Nine local schools have partnered with us for this project, representing 4,000 children and young people making daily school journeys during term. In the coming school year, there will be cycle training on the new priority routes delivered by Cuchulainn Cycling Club.”
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