New walkway on railway tracks giving "lease of life" to Kilcarn residents

Residents in Kilcarn Court in Navan say the recent transformation of the old railway line into a state of the art public amenity has lifted the spirits of the community.

Meath County Council has been praised for their effort at remedial work that has cleared the tracks and created a picturesque walkway from Kilcarn to Beaufort College on the Trim Road.

It will give residents and school going children “a whole new, cleaner, safer route to both schools and shops and encourage people to walk,” according to Kilcarn Court Residents Association Chairperson, Sharon Sharon E. Stapleton.

She added:

“Over the past few weeks Meath County Council have carried out a massive task of clearing the back tracks, the old railway line as it is known to the rear of our estate which runs to the Trim Road Where the old Navan to Dublin railway would have been.

“Something like 20 skip loads of rubbish was taken from the area.

“The work has made such a wonderful difference visually and now you can see from the entrance to the track, at the rear of our estate down the whole way to the trim road.

“It has also brought a sense of great joy and happiness to the Residents of Kilcarn Court during these somewhat bleak times.

“As Chairperson of Kilcarn Court Residents Association I know from speaking to residents, some who have lived here all their lives, this work means so much to them.

“For the mothers walking their kids to school or going to the shops this renewed track has made life a little easier. It has full access to Beaufort College and you can cycle or walk it.”

Sharon says that this new area that had once been derelict has given “a new lease of life” to the residents. She said:

“Lockdown gave me a great opportunity to get involved with the community here in Kilcarn court and we linked in with Meath County Council and Cllr Francis Deane to it a little bit updated, parts of it had been neglected over the years.

“I’m not originally from Navan but as far back as I can remember in the last 20 odd years the backtracks was always such a derelict area and would have attracted a lot of antisocial behaviour.

“Meath County Council are after coming in and have done such a fantastic job.

“We are getting our footpaths upgraded here too which is brilliant.

“I think people need to realise too that this is public money that has been spent and just to ask people to mind it and look after it.

“If you are going to use it, please don’t abuse it.

“From talking to the older generation here, it is lifting their spirits, they are proud now to see that work is happening and they now feel safe walking there.”

Mayor of Navan, Cllr Francis Deane commented that:

“It’s great that Meath County Council came on board in the second phase to upgrade the footpaths in Kilcarn Court and it is great that that link between Kilcarn Court through to Beaufort College has been upgraded.

“It is easy access for students, shoppers, walkers and anyone who wants to enjoy it.”