Five new parklets planned for Navan’s main streets for the summer months

Navan is all geared up for an outdoor summer as at least five new parklets planned for the main street over the summer months.

The parklets include spaces on Trimgate Street, Market Square and Watergate Street, catering for local restaurants and pubs.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, Cllr Yemi Adenuga called on Meath County Council to approve a request from the business community in Navan for the parklets.

“I have been working on this with Meath Chamber and Navan Cycling Initiative.

“The parklets will facilitate outdoor dining, increase footfall and encourage shopping-local this summer.”

She pointed out that grants are available to local authority for these projects.

Engineer Paul O Brien confirmed that there would be five parklets – a two bay space near Dunnes Stores on Trimgate Street, another two bay parklet outside Chekovs and Pimentos, another at Ode at Market Square, one at Watergate Street on the same side as Room 8 and Little Sicily and another across the road near Yeah Burger, The Valley and Cristal.

Cllr Adenuga pointed out that local businesses are behind the proposal, They would provide seating and remove them in the evening when service finished to prevent anti social behaviour.

She explained that logos of other businesses on the street could be used on street furniture so that they would also benefit.

Cllr Adenuga called on the council to expedite action on having the parklets ready for 7th June re-opening of restaurants for outdoor services. She thanked everyone involved in the Navan Cycling Initiative and Paula McCaul of Meath Chamber for their help.

Cllr Tommy Reilly asked if applications had been made for Bridge Street or Academy Street and was told there was no closing date for applications for the parklets.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said the support for the idea is huge. The Mayor, Cllr Francis Deane said he believed it would work very well. “It is all about getting footfall back into town,” he said. Cllr Tommy Reilly called on the council to put a temporary traffic management plan in operation at Market Square to alleviate traffic congestion for the duration of the works on Ludlow Street.

He was told a temporary traffic management plan has been implemented, including the provision of a traffic marshall at Market Square to allow local access for residents and businesses onto Ludlow Street and also to facilitate loading and unloading at Market Square.

Officials undertook to investigate if any alterations could be made to the traffic signal timings at the junction of Watergate Street/ Kells Road/Flowerhill, with a view to increasing the priority for traffic exiting the town centre from the direction of Market Square.

Following the meeting, Meath Chamber CEO, Paula McCaul said the parklets were a fine example of the power of positivity, teamwork and collaboration.

"Navan’s business community and local authority are working hand in hand to create a more people-oriented outdoor dining experience in support of its hospitality sector which we are all keen to see reopen safely.

"The groundswell of support from non-hospitality-based business is to be noted and commended. If you have an idea for a similar initiative in your town/area contact Meath Chamber. Together we are working to ensure that Meath is prepared for a fantastic outdoor summer.”

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