Traffic gridlock and pedestrian safety on the Clones Road were to the fore at this week's meeting of Monaghan County Council. Cllr Seamus Treanor says a by-pass is needed to alleviate the problems and despite the associated costs, is the only solution to the difficulties that have emerged.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Treanor said that residents are motorists are the most negatively impacted by the situation. He highlighted how the matter has been growing for years with local calls for roads funding "falling on deaf ears".
Cllr Treanor added that an expanding population in the area and the need for vehicles in rural Ireland are at the heart of the problem. "Minister Jack Chambers was very, very helpful to us when he came down here to discuss roads and what has to be done.
"Something is going to have be done because it is really frustrating for residents, motorists and for lorry drivers. Lorry drivers are driving to get to the Port Tunnel in Dublin or indeed Larne and they could be stuck on the Clones Road for up to 45 minutes before they can get out of the town again," said Cllr Treanor.
