Plans for an extension of the Trim Road cycleway to Balreask Manor on public display

Plans for an extension of the Trim Road cycleway to Balreask Manor are currently on public display.

Proposals for the scheme were outlined to councillors at last week's meeting of Navan Municipal District Council.

The proposed 850m long cycle scheme will extend from the entrance to Beechmount housing estate to the end of Balreask Manor estate and is the next phase of the current scheme under construction from the Solstice Arts centre to Beechmount.

The emerging preferred route for the scheme will see the footpath rerouted inside the walls at Balreask Village and Silverbrook, with the stone walls and trees preserved while the cycletrack will be on what is the current footpath.

Works in the area will also include new bus stops and traffic calming in Canterbrook.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said that as a local resident he welcomed the council's plan.

“I'm really pleased with the proposal to develop a footpath behind the trees at the front of Balreask Village. It is an excellent solution to minimise the environmental impact of the scheme on the Trim Road.

“Overall, the scheme will deliver excellent connectivity options between estates, bus shelters on the road and traffic safety measures at Canterbrook.

“The Trim road area will be safe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It will be excellently served with public transport options, cycle and walking infrastructure. It is great news for residents in the area.

“A non-statutory public consultation process began on Monday the 13th and runs until Friday the 8th of December. I urge interested parties to engage in that process and make their views known.”

Cllr Tommy Reilly also welcomed the proposals. “It is not interfering with any of the housing estates. I would have a different view of some of the other schemes, such as the Convent Road.

“This scheme is very welcomed and the more people cycling, particularly young people, the better,” he said,

Ed Moynihan of the Navan Cycling Initiative described it as an excellent scheme that was very badly needed.

“There are thousands of houses in the area and this new scheme will provide great access to the town and will link with the cycle network in the town.

“It will also improve the area with landscaping. It doesn't just improve the cycling infrastructure, it improves the public realm,” he said.

Meanwhile, at last week's meeting, Cllr Francis Deane asked if Meath Co Council had plans in place to install a pedestrian footpath and cycle lane leading to Old Johnstown Village from the new link road between to Dunville Estate.

He was told that while the council's Transportation Department are currently developing and delivering extensive improvements to the cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in Navan, they are not working on a footpath/cycle lane between Dunville and Old Johnstown Village along the L5050 at present.