Residents fears over scheme to open up Navan estate

Residents of Athlumney Abbey and adjoining estates in Johnstown, Navan are furious at plans for a network of cycle and pedestrian paths linking their area to the centre of Navan.

Local residents were particularly annoyed at plans to limit traffic on the Convent Road, and have expressed fears that anti-social behaviour will result from the opening of linkways between the estates.
Residents are also angry at the poor notification they received of a public consultation evening held in the Ardboyne Hotel recently.
Brian Ennis a resident of Athlumney Castle said that when they attended the consultation meeting they learned of the plans to break pedestrian and cycle entrances into all the estates.
“There is a safety issue here. People could let their children out to play in their estates, but now it will all be open.
“There is nothing to stop motorbikes using these links between estates and these openings very often attract anti- social behaviour,” he said.
Mr Ennis said there were plans for five entrances into their estate.
“We have a group of people who haven’t a clue about the area who will be creating rat runs,” he said.
He pointed out the Mercy Sisters had done a great job at their convent, demolishing some old buildings that had attracted anti social behaviour, but if cycleways and walkways were opened up into that area, it could start again.
“This plan is for the benefit for people further away from the town, it won’t be of any benefit to us in Athlumney Casle,” he said.
Mr Ennis said residents were angry at the short notice they received of the consultation evening and pointed out that some people got no notice at all.
“There was a leaflet drop and anyone who had ‘no junk mail’ signs on their doors didn’t get the leaflet,” he said.
Cllr Joe Reilly said he had received a number of emails from people objecting to the proposals.
He said the proposals were a long way from a decision and councillors had not seen any report on the proposals yet.
The Mayor, Cllr Francis Deane said there were issues in relation to the old Athlumney Graveyard and access to it.
He said councillors would be receiving a presentation on the proposals in January.
Cllr Wayne Forde said there was palpable anger at the public consultation process.
“Residents were fuming that they were given very little notice and a lot of the houses were not even informed. There are major concerns and opposition to the openings of walkways between estates which residents say will lead to major anti social behaviour concerns.
“While I’m trying to get alleyways closed in Ferndale and Silverlawns, the council in their wisdom want to open up walkways between estates in the Johnstown area. I have received up on 30 complaints and opposition to these plans already. I listened to people’s concerns at the consultation process and I will be bringing these concerns to the executive of Meath County Council.
“I only found out about this consultation process through people contacting me on Facebook. It just beggars belief that the councillors in Navan were not briefed on these proposals before they went to public consultation “
At last week’s meeting of Navan Municipal District Council, Cllr Sinead Burke said some residents received notification of the consultation, while others didn’t.
She said she personally had been caught on the hop as she wasn’t aware it was taking place.
Director of Planning at Kevin Stewart agreed it had been badly handled and this had turned what should be a good news story into something people were now suspicious of.
A spokesperson for Council said one of the main elements of the cycling and pedestrian strategy for Navan was to provide cycle lanes using new and existing sections of the local distributor road network.
“This includes providing missing links in the cycle and pedestrian networks. A public information event was held as part of the ongoing public consultation process, and to allow the public share their views on the proposed projects. People have been invited to comment or make submissions to the Council within two weeks,” she concluded.