LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL are to introduce car lanes throughout the county’s major urban centres early next year. In a statement released today, planning chiefs said that they expect the work to begin in February, starting in Dundalk, then followed by Drogheda in April and Ardee in September.

The  Automobile Association (AA), however,  lambasted the decision calling it shortsighted, illogical, expensive and downright unworkable. Spokesperson Conor Faughnan told Louth Noises News that the introduction would lead to chaos. He’s calling for motorists to boycott Louth town centres in protest.

“We’re asking Louth motorists to stay at home until the bureaucrats reverse their decision. It’s just not workable and is another nail in the coffin for motorists. If it happens here you can be sure it will happen nationwide.”

Louth county council, however, rejected the criticisms.  Head of Communications Jim Tobin cited a recent transport study, which he claimed shows that there is a need to provide dedicated lane space for private cars following the roll out of such services to other road users.

“Our focus has been on providing pedestrians, cyclists and buses with safe dedicated routes, all of which have been highly successful. Last year alone, we had over four bicycles using our cycle lanes. If we can do even half of that for cars, then we’ll solve the traffic problems quickly and efficiently. How’s that for forward planning”, he said.

©Louth Noises News, 2016.