Slane public realm plan criticised for lack of cycling infrastructure

Following news of the Slane bypass being granted planning permission, Navan Cycling Initiative has called on Meath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to improve the proposed plans for the Public Realm in Slane Village.

First published in 2022, the completed Slane Public Realm Plan 2022 was not amended to include any dedicated cycling infrastructure in the main two streets in the village, despite the majority of submissions asking for them, according to secretary, Dave Anderson.

He points out that cycling was referenced in over half of the submissions received.

“Yet despite those submissions, the updated plan was not changed to include any dedicated cycling infrastructure in the main two streets in the village. This despite there being two lanes for traffic, and two rows of car parking, retained. Segregated cycle lanes could potentially be provided by removing car parking on one side of the road. There is also a new dedicated off-street car park being created on the main street, so no parking spaces would be lost.

“Meath County Council is required to cut climate change emissions in half in the next four and a half years, but according to the EPA, transport emissions are currently going up.”

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He says St Patrick's National School, located north of the village centre, falls within the study area of the scheme, yet the plans do not include any cycling infrastructure connecting it to the village or main streets, which he described as “completely unacceptable.”

“We are now calling on Meath County Council and TII to amend these plans to include segregated cycle lanes on Main Street/N51 to fully connect with important sites like Slane Castle, the Ledwidge Museum, and the Boyne Greenway, segregated cycle lanes on Chapel Street/N52 to connect with and provide safe, sustainable access to St Patrick’s National School.”

The group is also calling for a two-way cycle lane on Mill Hill from Slane bridge up to the village. The current plan was amended to include a cycle lane on the left-side of the road for north-bound cyclists only, but there is nothing on the other side of the road. They are calling for segregated cycle lanes on the new dual carriageway / bridge in place of shared footway/cycleway.

“This scheme will totally transform Slane and further enhance the village to be a vibrant location for people to live, work and visit, and so it is crucial that it is done right.

“The upcoming Boyne Greenway has the potential to be a game changer for the entire region and bring massive benefits to the local community and economy alike, and as such it is essential that Slane provides for cycling as outlined above if it is to realise the full potential of the greenway.

“We urge Meath County Council to deliver on their ambitious plans to promote active travel and implement these measures as part of the future Slane Public Realm plan,” he concluded.