Changes in Navan traffic flow about to come into effect

Major changes in traffic flow in Navan will come into effect before the end of the month, when the reversal of traffic flow on Bridge Street and Ludlow Street is implemented.

From 4pm on Sunday 28th January, changes will be made to the management of traffic on Bridge Street, Ludlow Street, and Market Square as part of the Navan 2030 scheme.

The focus of the traffic changes is to achieve the re-direction of bus services into the centre of Navan to the new bus interchange on Kennedy Road.

The changes will see vehicles leaving the town permanently restricted from travelling southbound down Ludlow Street and Bridge Street via Market Square and Timmons Hill. Traffic will be restricted from turning onto Bridge Street from Church Hill and the direction of traffic will be reversed on Bridge Street and Ludlow Street.

Meath County Council has said the changes aim to enhance connectivity between regional and inter-urban bus services and the town's local bus services and taxis, and to improve accessibility for bus users, resulting in more people being brought into the heart of Navan to work, visit, or for shopping.

Traffic flow will be made two-way on Market Square from the Kennedy Road/Trimgate Street junction to the ‘Bull’ sculpture at ‘Market Square,’ with the traffic direction reversed on the southern side of ‘Market Square’ to provide a ‘bus gate’ to facilitate buses, taxis, and cyclists travelling from the Ludlow Street direction.

Alongside these changes, specific changes will be made at key junctions. At Timmons Hill/Market Square junction, the traffic will be restricted to a right turn only at the junction (towards Watergate Street).

At Market Square (South), the traffic flow will be reversed and will be used only by buses, taxis, and bicycles to access Kennedy Road. At the nearby Church Hill, traffic is to be restricted to a left turn only (no right turn onto Bridge Street).

Entry to Bridge Street will only be permitted via Academy Street and a left turn from Circular Road, with exit via Church Hill or Ludlow Street.

The changes were due to have taken place late last year, but following engagement with representatives from the Navan businesses via the Meath Chamber the council agreed to delay the changes until after the Christmas period.

Works already completed under the Navan 2030 scheme include the introduction of two way traffic to Railway Street, improved roundabouts on Kennedy Road, improvement works on Ludlow Street, Bridge Street, Academy Street, Cornmarket and Market Square, while a new Park and Ride facility opened at Moatlands late last year.