Fears for further congestion at Commons Road junction

Problems with traffic congestion at the Commons Road/Dan Shaw Road/Clogherboy junction in Navan are only going to get worse when the new bridge over the Blackwater opens and new developments in the area come on stream, according to Navan councillor John Duffy who is calling on Meath County Council to prioritise this junction.

A motion was brought forward by Cllr Duffy at last week's meeting of Navan Municipal District Council calling on the council to address traffic movements through the junction at the Commons Road by way or slip roads or other such measures which he said was necessary because of increased volumes of traffic and the anticipated additional traffic once the new bridge over the Blackwater becomes operations.

Cllr Duffy said in the mornings the traffic is backed right up into Clogherboy with a build up of 20 or more cars, if there is a motorist waiting to turn right at Commons Road.

“It is not working as it is. And that is before you add in the opening of the new bridge. Or the 300-odd houses that are being built by Cairn Homes out the Commons Road. That junction has to be a priority,” he said. He said the new bridge would see traffic from the north of the town in areas like Clonmagadden using the route to get to the Trim Road which would increase traffic volumes.

Cllr Duffy has also pointed out that planned spur roads to serve the development lands would not be in place for some time and something needs to be done sooner.

“The bridge will be open in a couple of months and the rate the houses are being built, this will be significant problem by Christmas. It needs to be addressed.”

Meath County Council, in its written response at the meeting, outlined that Cairn Homes are currently constructing houses on the Commons Road in Navan which would result in additional traffic passing through this signalised junction and that one of the conditions of the planning permission granted to Cairn Homes is that they are required to complete a detailed capacity assessment

“One of the conditions of the planning permission granted to Cairn Homes, is that they are required to complete a detailed capacity assessment for the junction. This capacity assessment has not yet been submitted.

The detailed design of the junction by the Roads Department will follow the capacity assessment, allowing for the design and construction of the correct evidence based traffic management solutions for the type and volume of traffic. A reminder has been issued by the Planning Department for the submission of this compliance.

Cllr Fennessy who seconded the motion said: “I was happy to second John’s motion. I submitted several motions myself in the past relating to improvement works at that junction. It is quite busy, the council carried out a traffic volume study during one such previous request and it found that on average, over eight and a half thousand vehicles pass through the junction each day.

“There are over one hundred acres of land zoned for residential use between the Commons Road and the Trim Road which will deliver upwards on one thousand five hundred houses in the area. Construction has started and houses are being sold from those lands, bringing with them new families and increased pressure on existing infrastructure.

“There’s no sense in the council being asleep at the wheel on this issue. We need to compile a detailed traffic management plan and implement it without delay. The consequences of not doing so would condemn the Commons Road and surrounding area to a congestion hell for many years to come.”