“OPTIMUM OUTCOME” SOUGHT FOR NORTH MONAGHAN TRADERS AS TALKS CONTINUE OVER N2 WORKS

The optimum outcome for Emyvale and Monaghan Town traders must be the priority in the ongoing negotiations regarding the southbound lane closure and traffic diversions that would come into play when improvement works commence on the N2 from Coolkill East to Corracrin, Sinn Féin councillor Sean Conlon told Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council.
The meeting heard that the project – which had been scheduled to start on Monday last – would not now commence until Monday, March 4 at the earliest as discussions were continuing between the contractor and a representative group of traders and residents in the Emyvale area.
Acting Director of Services for Roads Damien Treanor assured the members that detailed consideration had been given to the proposed diversion routes to ensure the safety of the travelling public, minimise disruption and facilitate local access.
Discussion was generated on Monday by a Sinn Féin notice of urgent business on the matter proposed by Colr Conlon and seconded by his North Monaghan colleague Cathy Bennett.
Co Mayor Hugh McElvaney said he had spoken to Director of Services Damien Treanor about this matter because he had received numerous representations from the Emyvale area.

Mayor McElvaney pointed out that the people of Emyvale were not looking for all the roads to be open at the one time, but had asked if roads could remain open from 6pm until the following morning, and a less period of time for total closure.

The Mayor asked the executive to do what they could for the traders concerned because they were just going to be isolated otherwise.

Moving the urgent business motion, Sean Conlon referred to a number of meetings that had taken place with roads staff over local concerns about the five-month closures on the N2 to accommodate the works on the Coolkill East to Corracrin stretch.

Colr Conlon expressed the view that the road closures presented a real threat to business in …