Illegal parking putting cyclists in danger in Johnstown

Youngsters cycling to school in Johnstown are being put in danger by cars and vans that park illegally in cycle lanes outside the local shopping centre.

Cyclists on the way to school and work are having to move out into the main carriageway as they pass the shopping centre because of the amount of vehicles blocking the cycle lane.

Navan Cycling Initiative are now calling for bollards to be provided in the area, so the lanes can be used safely.

“People park there for up to an hour and they are endangering cyclists,” says Ed Moynihan of the Cycling Initiative.

“There is a great cycle network in Johnstown – the best in Navan.

“We are trying to encourage as many people as possible to cycle, but the reason they don't is that it is unsafe.

“Just light bollards would keep it safe by stopping traffic parking there,” he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy raised the issue at a recent meeting of Navan Municipal Council calling for bollards outside the shopping centre and the installation of rumble strips from the Bailis Village apartment complex to the entrance of the Priory estate.

He was told Meath County Council would assess what interventions would be required.

"Over the past few months I received numerous complaints of delivery trucks and motorists illegally parking on the cycle path outside Johnstown Shopping Centre.

“This behaviour causes safety issues for cyclists and pedestrians trying to cross the road.

“Locals are concerned that a serious accident will take place if safety measures are not taken.

"We don't have very much cycle infrastructure in Navan, what little we do should be preserved for safe and proper use.

“I welcome the Council's response to my motion and I urge them to install bollards on the cycle path as quickly as possible."

Meanwhile, traffic congestion in Johnstown needs to be addressed according to Deputy Johnny Guirke.

He called on the Council to address the congestion problems in Johnstown.

“I met with local residents affected by the traffic congestion at the Johnstown roundabout which is built up from traffic coming on the Kentstown road side, the Dublin road side coming from Navan town, Metges Road and the road leading up to Colaiste Na Mi,” he said.

“People trying to leave for work in the morning time are delayed an extra 30 to 40 minutes every day as the traffic is built up at the roundabout beside SuperValu.

“Parents also have problems trying to get their kids to school on time as the traffic is backed up which leads to frustration with road users.

“There is also a safety concern for children walking or cycling to and from school as some motorists are in that much of a hurry that they have come close to hitting some of these kids.

“An evaluation on the congestion at the roundabout needs to be done as soon as possible, I have asked for this traffic congestion to be assessed a month ago and I’m still awaiting a response from Meath County Council on this serious matter.”

Deputy Guirke warned the situation is likely to worsen as new house builds continue in surrounding areas, businesses reopen and as schools close for summer this would be an ideal time to address the residents’ concerns.

“I am asking for a plan to be put in place or a proposal to be brought to the table so residents and road users don’t have to add extra hours in their travel just to get out of their own housing estates,” he said.