Locals say that increased housing development is adding to pressure on Old Road in Athlumney
The recent huge increase in the volume and speed of traffic on the Old Road, Athlumney in Navan has led to fears for the safety of local residents.
They have warned that someone will be killed if the speeding along this narrow road is allowed to continue.
The level of traffic and speed on what had always been a quiet road has increased considerably since the construction of new housing developments at Farganstown,
Local resident, Barry Lynagh said residents are particularly concerned for the safety of their children.
"The road has become so busy and dangerous. We were originally told that there would be access to the new houses, but no further, but now the traffic is speeding along the road in both directions.
"There had been signs on the approach to the new roundabout servicing the new houses/apartments which clearly showed no access down the Old Road (picturedabove) Athlumney but this was not being adhered to.
"This opening has lead to a massive increase in the numbers of cars using the old road. The speed at which these cars are travelling at is way above the signed 50kph which in my opinion is still too high.
"The road cannot cope with the traffic, we need traffic calming measures or restrictions.
"If our children were to walk or cycle on the road, they would be taking their lives in their hands. It is now being used as a quick route to Johnstown and the schools.
"This old narrow road is unable to cater for the large volume of traffic now travelling at massively higher speeds than the signed speed limits.
"It is only a matter of time before we have a tragic accident involving pedestrians. It is now completely unsafe for children on bicycles, scooters etc.
"Everyone living here is very concerned. There is a genuine concern that a child will be killed.
"My parents lived on this road and I built my house in 2009 and the traffic has increased tenfold since then," he said.
At the April meeting of Navan Municipal Council, the Mayor, Cllr Eddie Fennessy, called for a traffic impact study on the Old Road with a view to restricting movement on the older and narrower section to local access only.
He was told the Navan Town Area was being assessed as part of the Navan Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) by the Consultancy Systra. This process will encompass the old Athlumney Road and surrounding areas as part of the ongoing development of the Navan Area.
Cllr Fennessy said the construction of housing developments on lands at Farganstown will continue to increase the population in that part of town for many years to come.
"The 'Old Road' in Athlumney is nothing more that a boreen. It wasn't designed or built to cope with the demand that's now placed on it," he said.
"I'm relieved to hear that the road was included in the traffic assessments carried out by Systra.
I expect that the report to recommend changes.
"What those changes are is anyone's guess. My motion suggested the introduction of local access restrictions. I had also considered suggesting a one-way system with traffic calming measures.
"We wait with interest for the publication of the Systra report. I am certain that in order to make the road safer, a recommendation for change will be made in that report," Cllr Fennessy concluded.