Council believes new plan for pedestrianisation of Trimgate St addresses local business concerns

A REVISED plan for the pedestrianisation of Trimgate Street was presented at a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, as Meath County Council prepares to make a planning application for the project.

The new proposals allow for access to the private car parks in Trimgate Street and follows extensive negotiations with Navan Parish regarding access to St Mary's Church.

Director of Services, Martin Murray pointed out that the CCTV system proposed would alleviate concerns by businesses over anti-social behaviour.

Councillors were told officials were preparing to make a Part Eight planning application - which is the method by which a local authority makes an application for planing permission - and the revised plans will go on public display shortly.

Shane Casserly, engineer said the new proposals dealt with a number of issues, including access to a number of car parks off the street and to maintain deliveries well as potentially maintaining the traditional funeral route.

“The proposals are the result of consultation local traders, a loading survey, extensive consultation with St Mary's parish, Meath Chamber, disability groups such as Vision Ireland, local transport and the Gardai,” he said.

He said quite a bit of design work went into St Mary's Church to maintain the prominence of the gates on the street.

He outlined plans for tree planting, rain gardens and paving finishes of dark grey and silver granite except for coloured paving around the Lady of the Dance sculpture.

“There will be tactile paving to the ends of trafficked areas to provide safe zones for the visually impaired. There will be new lighting and CCTV to enhance security.”

The meeting heard that the exit from St Mary's grounds onto Railway Street will be extended to allow cars enter and exit and there will be alterations internally to facilitate that movement

Entrance will be allowed from Trimgate Street during delivery hours for Meals and Wheels. The entrance to St Mary's will be included as part of public realm to tie it together and there will be additional landscaping and some car parking alterations requested by St Mary’s.

Mr Casserly said the council had applied for Regional Development Funding for the project, design work was continuing and planning application documents being prepared.

“Subject to planning and funding approval, work could start by Sept 2027 and it would be 12 months duration.”

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said he felt they were just pedestrianising it “for the sake of it.”

“The original Navan 2030 proposal didn't include pedestrianisation - the street was to be done up the same as the rest of the town, which in fairness looks fantastic. If we got the same level for Trimgate Street it would improve it dramatically,” he said.

Cllr Emer Tóibín said there were concerns about how many car park spaces lost and that the three loading bays proposed would not be enough.

“Personally, I'm supportive but I see how many businesses could have concerned. It looks terrible right now and if it was revamped like others would look fabulous.

“There is no provision for elderly people. Their needs are not factored in it. Their ability to park somewhere and walk would be limited.

Mr Murray pointed out that there was now additional disabled parking in the town, along with improved permeability.

Cllr John Duffy said shopping was changing and a lot of heavier items were now bought online. “Businesses are happy with this plan and they are the paymasters. They see it as detrimental to business in the centre in the town. They would like to see an investment in the street, we have to improve it to make it more shopper friendly.”

Cllr Eddie Fennessy described the plans as impressive.

“Concerns were raised at the last presentation and it looks as though the council have listened to some of those concerns. I’d like to see further engagement with the business community on Trimgate Street, their input really is crucial to the successful delivery of this proposal.

“During a recent presentation of the Flowerhill Regeneration Project, I raised concerns on the type and colour of stone used for the footpaths. I have those same concerns on this project too. I was approached by several people over recent weeks who complained about dirty footpaths and the impression this gives to people visiting Navan.

“Porous bright coloured stones stain very easily. I would prefer to see a darker natural stone used. It would be much easier to keep and it would save money on the expensive chemicals and machinery required to clean the existing footpaths. And that’s not to take away from the job our outdoor staff do every day.

The lads do a great job, however, they face an uphill battle trying to keep pace with stones that are difficult to clean.”

Cllr Francis Deane said the council had been talking about pedestrianisation for the last 30 years. “There had been plans to cover it in with a dome but it didn't move forward. It would cost a fortune today.”

Mr Murray said on-street surveys of shoppers showed overwhelming positivity to the plans. Thirteen per cent of people stopped on the street had parked on Trimgate St, 31 per cent on the Fair Green and 31 per cent at the shopping centre.

He said there had been a plan in Navan 2030 to maintain traffic, but since then policy regarding car access to town centres had changed with the emphasis on active travel and funding follows those priorities. “It would be very difficult to see how funding could be sourced for Trimgate Street, if it wasn't pedestrianised,” he said.

- Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme