Kennedy Road enhancement works to begin in April

Work on the Kennedy Road/Market Square enhancement project that forms part of the Navan 2030 scheme is expected to start in April, a meeting of Navan Municipal Council heard last week.

Work on the new road linking the Ratholdren Road to the Kells Road is expected to begin in 2023 and tenders for the design work for the cycling and pedestrian facilities in Flower Hill will be sought in March, the meeting was told.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons has asked for a report on the progress of these schemes. Meanwhile, almost €10 million will be spent on road and footpaths in the Navan Municipal District this year.

The programme comes following a recent study that showed that Meath had the fifth best roads in the country,

The programme includes work on projects such as the Kennedy Road bus interchange, cycle networks and the new Park and Ride facility at Moatlands.

It involves funding for surface dressing, maintenance, street sweeping and public lighting, as well as work on major projects such as the Navan 2030 scheme and the cycle routes.

Area manager Martin Murray explained that some projects would be undertaken this year while others would be advancing through the design and planning stages.

Proposing the adoption of the programme Cllr Tommy Reilly said “A lot of work was put into this programme to bring it all together and I propose we accept it,” he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy welcomed the increase in road maintenance. "Works on the Commons road is very welcome, it's in pretty bad shape and is used by the local bus service, safety is a major concern there.

I also welcome the council's announcement that a contingency fund of €250,000 per year over the next three years will also be available and can be used to carry out works on housing estates, some of which are in bad need of resurfacing works."The programme includes projects receiving National Transport Authority funding such the Navan Cycle network from the Proudstown Road to the Trim Road, from the Fairgreen to Johnstown.

“The cycle network from the Dan Shaw Road to the Solstice will be completed this year, while design and planning work is taking place on the other sections,” manager Martin Murray explained.

The meeting was told that an allocation of €225,000 for the pedestrianisation of Trimgate Street was to appoint consultants to carry out an analysis of the proposal.

Other major capital work included in the programme include the completion of the N51 Dunmore project and the N51 Mullaghmore to Irishtown work.

Funding has bee allocated for various Navan 2030 projects,a HGV transportation study, the Academy Street Pedestrian Enhancement Scheme and bus service infrastructure.

A total of €1,240,405 has been set aside for generalprogrammes.