‘All for the common good’... Council confident local economy will benefit from a greatly improved streetscape

The local economy will benefit from a greatly improved streetscape and pedestrian facilities that will "enhance the physical attractiveness of Navan" according to Meath Co Council who have thanked business owners for their cooperation amid roadworks disruption that has severely impacted trade.

A spokesperson for the local authority said that they recognised that public works of their very nature, such as those in Navan, "can result in a level of inconvenience and disruption to businesses, property owners, and the public generally."

They explained that works, however, are being carried out "for the common good" and, when completed, local businesses should benefit from same and the public from the "greatly improved streetscape and pedestrian facilities," adding:

"We do rely on the forbearance and cooperation of businesses, residents and indeed the general public in this regard, and such forbearance is generally rewarded by an enhanced environment post completion of the works."

They went to say that the new bus interchange and associate public realm works to the plaza area and other streets are "aimed to improve movement" and access in and out of the town centre, and "to enhance the physical attractiveness of Navan."

The statement continued, saying: "The council expresses its appreciation for the ongoing forbearance and cooperation by the business owners, the public and residents in Navan during the current upgrade works. The Council will be continuing to engage with business owners with respect to the works and looks forward to the completion of the current phase of the upgrade of Navan, which follows similar recent upgrade works on Railway Street, Bridge Street, Ludlow Street and Abbey Road.

"Meath County Council is currently finalising the design for the upgrade of Old Cornmarket, with works anticipated to commence later this summer. The upgrade is intended to have strong pedestrian and place making focus, and to provide enhanced connectivity between The Fairgreen and the Town Centre."

The Navan Town Scheme (Navan 2030) will go on throughout the summer.

Works at Kennedy Plaza are continuing with the paving to the new wheelchair accessible ramp from the car park to the new plaza area at the bus interchange which is now complete and open for pedestrian use.

An upgraded crossing is also to be provided at this location to provide improved pedestrian facilities to the car park and link it with the pedestrian space along the shops fronting Kennedy Plaza.

New tactile paving is to be installed for the visually impaired as part of these works.

The works adjacent to the Eddie Rockets restaurant is continuing, with installation of new services and the widening of footpaths with new granite kerbing and paving. These works are continuing past McEvoy’s Shop and Angel Nails to the entrance to Old Cornmarket (including entrance). It is anticipated these works will be completed by the end of July.

Works at the junction of Kennedy Road and Trimgate are continuing.

The first two phases of watermain diversions and connections are competed in this area, with the new valves and end plates installed for the future upgrade of the watermains on Trimgate Street. A further three phases are to be completed during July and August.

Pavement works to the shop fronts on a portion of Trimgate Street are to commence on the evening of Tuesday 30th of May. Temporary pedestrian walkways are to be installed to maintain access to those premises whilst the works are ongoing. These paving works are anticipated to take a further 3 to 4 weeks to complete. Works are scheduled to commence at the beginning of August on the opposite side of Trimgate Street adjacent to Ambrose Clintons Hairdressing Salon and move towards Tierney’s shop, past the Central and the ZipYard, and onto the entrance to Old Cornmarket. It is anticipated these works will take approximately 7-8 weeks to complete.

Separately, works are due to commence on the entrance to Metges Lane at its junction with Kennedy Road on Tuesday 6th of June. This will include new kerbing and paving to provide for pedestrian priority across the entrance to Metges Lane.

Next month, road surfacing works are planned for Paddy O’Brien Street and Kennedy Road. These are currently scheduled to commence on the 12th of June, with the majority of these works planned to be completed outside of normal business hours.

Following completion of the paving works to the Trimgate Street/Kennedy Road junction (anticipated towards end of September), the contractor is planning to commence paving works from the entrance to Kennedy Road car park to the Credit Union (to tie in with the new paving previously constructed as part of the Abbey Road works). These works are estimated to take approximately four to five weeks- to complete. Access to the car parks is to be maintained throughout.

It is planned that during the above works, further new public lighting will be commissioned, as will the new town CCTV network. Preparatory works will also be completed in advance of the re-confirmation of traffic flow on Bridge Street and Ludlow Street and re-location of bus services to the new bus interchange, currently anticipated to occur in October.