Plan to deliver safer routes
Plans to improve walking, cycling and road safety on key approach routes into Carrickmacross are set to advance under a series of dedicated masterplans.
The Convent Lands Landscape Masterplan is progressing proposals to significantly enhance pedestrian and cycling links between Convent Avenue and the town centre.
Monaghan County Council has appointed The Paul Hogarth Company to prepare the masterplan, which is focused on three key objectives: improving footpath and cycle connectivity to the town centre, accommodating the potential expansion of St Louis Secondary School, and consolidating recent investment in sports and recreation facilities.
The importance of the scheme was previously highlighted by Fianna Fáil councillor P.J. O’Hanlon.
Members of the Carrickmacross–Castleblayney Municipal District were told at their December meeting that “several design options” had been examined.
Senior Area Engineer Damien Thornton said that a “preferred solution” for pedestrian and cycle connectivity has now been identified, and the council is continuing to engage with local landowners and other stakeholders to agree the necessary mechanisms required to deliver this key element of the project. Once these arrangements are in place, the scheme is expected to progress to detailed planning and delivery stages.
Busy routes
A separate initiative, raised by Sinn Féin councillor Colm Carthy at the same pre-Christmas meeting, focuses on the Ballybay Road, Castleblayney Road and Ross Road, including sections adjacent to Emmet Park and Gleann Droimnin.
He noted that these routes represent some of the busiest entry points into the town, with the local authority working to identify priority areas for improved safety, accessibility and active travel infrastructure.
Area councillors were informed that there are currently six active travel schemes underway across the Carrickmacross and Castleblayney areas. Collectively, the six planned projects across the MD have a combined value of €450,000, reflecting a significant investment in safer and more sustainable transport options.
Mr Thornton confirmed that the Ballybay Road proposals are awaiting design commentary from the National Transport Authority (NTA), after which the project can move to the next stage of delivery.