Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive Meath County Council, Ronda Byrne, Bus Eireann, Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Fiona Lawless, Director of Services Meath County Council, Stephen Kent, Bus Eireann and Conor O’Donovan, National Transport Authority.

Navan town centre bus interchange officially opened

Ann Casey

Published: Tue 27 Feb 2024, 9:09 PM

Last updated: Tue 27 Feb 2024, 9:10 PM

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy and Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, officially opened the new bus interchange on Kennedy Road, Navan on Friday.

Minister Ryan said the interchange will facilitate further increases in public transport usage in Navan over the next few years and will act as the focal point for more enhancements of the public transport network.

Cllr Fennessy said: “With the population of Navan continuing to grow and with further growth predicted, our approach to the movement of people must adapt to the delivery of transport infrastructure, which provides a viable solution whilst also ensuring a reduction in negative impacts on the environment.

“The completion of these new bus stops supports that adaption and provides the opportunity for sustainable travel choices, and delivers a new, frequent, accessible, and convenient public transport service for the town.”

Chief Executive of Meath Co Council Kieran Kehoe said the new interchange has been designed to meet the current and future needs of an ever-expanding population of Navan while strengthening economic growth in the town, supporting business, retail, and tourism.

“The completion of this new interchange provides an opportunity for sustainable travel choices, and delivers a new, frequent, accessible, and convenient public transport service for the town. The new bus interchange facility on Kennedy Road will make for a better experience for those living in and visiting the town.”

Manager of LocalLink Louth Meath Fingal, Deirdre Murtagh said: “We are delighted with the new bus interchange at Kennedy Road. Our Local Link services, Route 188 and Route 189 will now be brought into the centre of Navan which means our passengers will have access to shopping, employment, social activities and connectivity to Navan Town's local bus services, as well as other regional and inter-urban services.”

Meanwhile, the Minister, along with Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tommy Reilly launched Meath Co Council’s Climate Action Plan on Friday. The 2024 – 2029 plan outlines “ambitious strategies aimed at building a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable, and climate neutral economy”.

Cathaoirleach Meath Co Council, Cllr Tommy Reilly said the action plan outlines “our collective commitment to taking bold and transformative actions to address climate change and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Central to the council’s Climate Action Plan is the concept of decarbonising zones with nine towns identified. These designated zones -Navan, Ashbourne, Trim, Kells, Dunboyne,Laytown/Bettystown, Dunshaughlin,Ratoath and Duleek - will serve as focal points for targeted measures to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and enhance environmental sustainability.

Chief Executive of Meath Co Council, Kieran Kehoe said: “As an organisation, we believe in leading by example, and we are prepared to meet the significant challenges that come with reducing our emissions by 51 per cent and increasing our energy efficiency by 50 per cent by 2030.”