Another bad accident at ‘Navan’s most dangerous junction’

Another recent accident at the notorious Balreask Cross junction in Navan has sparked renewed calls for safety measures at the cross.

A woman was injured in the two vehicle collision at the cross on Friday evening (25th September), in one of countess accidents that have occurred there over the years.

Residents have been calling for safety measures at the junction for more than a decade and in January 2020 locals submitted a petition to the council but are still waiting for safety works to be carried out.

In the mornings and evenings, there are long tailbacks approaching Balreask Cross, particularly on the Borallion, as motorists wait for a break in the heavy traffic on the Trim-Navan Road so they can get across or turn. It means motorists are taking chances and locals say there have been a number of accidents at the junction in recent years.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said it is the most dangerous junction in the town.

“Traffic safety measures at the Balreask junction is something I’ve called for repeatedly in my eight years as a councillor. It is the most dangerous junction in the town. Accidents are commonplace and we had two more over the weekend, one of which was quite serious.

In response to a recent question by Cllr Fennessy, Meath County Council said the proposed cycle and pedestrian scheme to connect Balreask Manor to Balreask Cross would include upgrading the junction at Balreask Cross. Consultants are working through preliminary design for the proposed scheme and a planning application is to be submitted before the end of the year.

Cllr Fennessy said the only solution is to introduce traffic lights at the crossing to control traffic flow. “Whilst I acknowledge the council’s response to my question, I worry about how long it will take before the traffic lights are installed. The intention is to install traffic lights as part of the Trim Road Cycle Scheme. We are two phases away from the Balreask junction, and at that rate, it will take at least two years before traffic lights are operational at the junction.

“Accidents are a huge concern at Balreask, there have been fatalities in the past and local residents are worried about the safety of motorists at the junction. I will lobby the council to see if they have it within their power to put temporary traffic control measures in place before another serious accident takes place.”

Cllr Emer Tóibín asked how many more accidents would it take before this junction is properly addressed?

“This is not a new problem. Local residents and councillors have been raising concerns about this junction for years. The frequency of collisions cannot simply be laid at the door of driver responsibility.

“For years, the Council has deferred upgrading the junction while various schemes were proposed, delayed and ultimately fell through.

“Now we are being told that the upgrade will be delivered under the Balreask Manor to Balreask Cross Active Travel Scheme, which is still only at the preliminary design stage.

“That means we could still be waiting until mid to late 2027 before this junction is actually made safer. Can we really afford to wait that long?

“I raised this junction publicly in April 2025. More than a year later, despite another accident, we are still talking about preliminary design and future stages. We don't need another timeline. We need action.

“There is no reason why the junction cannot be reconfigured and made safer now, while also being future-proofed for the Balreask Manor to Balreask Cross Active Travel Scheme and the small development planned just off the junction. We should not have to wait for those projects to be completed before making a dangerous junction safer. The junction can be designed now to accommodate what is coming, rather than leaving people waiting years for improvements.”

Cllr Padraig Fiitzsimons, who has been calling for safety measures at the junction for years, said the intersection needs to be prioritised for safety measures.”It is disappointing that work on the junction seems to be put on the long finger.

“It's a death trap. There are accidents there several times a week. Residents in the area are angry, they feel let down. They cannot understand why that junction isn't prioritised. I will be bringing it up at the next council meeting,” he said.

Meath County Council has been approached for comment.