Calls by South Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor, Matt Carthy, for an increase in permissible traffic movements at the Aghavilla junction on the N2, outside Carrickmacross to be increased to allow for two-way traffic, will finally be headed as works commence this week.
In January 2009, against the wishes of the majority of road users in the area, the council made the road a one-way operation and since then only traffic travelling north have been permitted to use the junction. Later that year councillors agreed to new plans under which road users will be in a position to return along the road provided they are turning left at the junction and proceeding north. Cllr. Carthy has consistently said that this is a sensible position that addresses both the concerns of local people and also tackles the road safety issues that were associated with the previous arrangements.
However funding was not forthcoming from the National Roads Authority (NRA) last year and Cllr. Carthy had been pressing the authority for the funds for the a number of years. Earlier this year Cllr. Carthy confirmed that the NRA allocated €26,000 in safety funds to this junction. Cllr. Carthy indicated this week that he had received confirmation from officials in Monaghan County Council that works would be commenced in the coming days. Cllr. Carthy has welcomed this development.
