Letters to the Editor: A positive experience of Convent Road
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - I was surprised to read in last week's edition of the Meath Chronicle of the objections to the recent development of a cycle and walk way on Convent Road, Navan. I have had a different experience.
I live in the area and work on Convent Road and I have noticed an increase in people using this route, particularly school age children. This is a key group as 34 per cent of five to nine year olds are overweight or obese, rising to 61 per cent of adults.
Our practice has been the target of anti-social activity in the past as reported by your paper including the vandalisation of covid vaccination equipment. We are very sensitive to this problem and monitor it closely. We have not noted any increase as reported. International experience suggests that improving access and visibility reduces such activity as there are people passing through and observing in a way that a driver passing through does not. Improvement to lighting may have more of an impact than the reintroduction of cars.
I canvassed the area at the last local election and remember residents objecting to the previous plans for segregated cycle lane which would have involved the removal of trees and the widening of the road. This was and is the solution. The main Athlumney Road cannot be widened and given the density of housing built further up the Athlumney road this cycle and walk way has become an important part of reducing car use on the main Athlumney road and an attempt to reduce the delays accessing the town. On a selfish note I do not want another 400-800 cars sitting between me and the Meath Chronicle building.
There are other arguments involving reducing our climate emissions but on a personal note I used to drive up Convent road to get home. I now walk it. In the spring/summer the planting is attractive. I arrive home relaxed rather than stressed and I have lost half a stone. It is one of the most positive things I have seen in terms of health promotion and I feel it should continue.
Yours,
Dr Séamus McMenamin,
Bedford Medical Centre,
Convent Road,
Navan.
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
New proposal for Cross of Kells
Dear sir - There is a prominent building now for sale in the heart of Kells, on the corner of Cross Street and Market Street. The previous owner has died.
I suggest that this building would make a stunning home for the original Market Cross, at present situated outside the Heritage Centre, in the open air (!).
It could be floodlit and re-designed to hold the Cross safely inside, with room for visitors .
It could look magnificent. It would be perfectly safe from the traffic. Can a way be found for it to be purchased, either by the council or the Tourism authorities??
This is a once-off chance for this cross to be back where it was for so many years. I urge the relevant decision-makers to give this urgent consideration.
Yours,
Frances Monaghan,
Former Member Kells Town Council,
Joint President Kells Arts Club.
(More on this story in this week's paper)