New Blackwater slipway under consideration

Meath County Council is considering the provision of a new slipway for Meath River Rescue on the Blackwater adjacent to the new bridge.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, Cllr Eddie Fennessy asked if consideration had been given to the installation of a ‘slipway’ as had been requested in a previous motion.

He was told the Council would engage with relevant stakeholders and give consideration to the requested slipway.

Cllr Fennessy said; “The Meath River Rescue group are a vital part of our local emergency services.

“They are based on the Beechmount Retail Park and several of their members live on that side of the town. Having riverside access on the Kells Road through a new slipway would enhance their response times when called into action. It makes complete sense to develop a slipway at the new bridge and the River Rescue would like the council to do so as quickly as possible.

“From a planning perspective, I believe that the provision of emergency response infrastructure should be a key component on the design of large scale infrastructure projects. This is something I intend to take up with the council in the hope that it is legislated for in future.”

Christy Rennicks of Meath River Rescue said the slipway was something they had been looking for, afor a long time. "It is an ideal loction. We requested this even before the bridge was built. It needs to be done."