Navan residents make over 100 submissions on access link

A controversial proposal to close the link between the Townspark and Beechmount estates in Navan was referred by councillors in Navan to the town's Joint Policing Committee. The access between the estates has been the scene of antisocial behaviour for some time. At a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee on Friday, members heard the Gardai had received one written complaint about the link and that the Gardai had no objection to the link remaining open. The issue is now expected to come before next month's meeting of Navan Town Council. At a meeting of the council last week, members heard that the council had received 85 submissions in favour of leaving the access open and 23 in favour of closing it. A total of 83 residents in Townspark and Beechdale made submissions asking to keep the access point open as it provided a direct link to the Beechmount shopping amenities. Closing the access point would lead to a concentration of antisocial behaviour in either estate, it was argued. The council received 24 submissions from Beechmount estate, 23 or which were in favour of closing the link while one was against. One woman from Townspark also pointed out that the access point was a link to the local bus service while another Townspark resident called for an oral hearing into the matter. Cllr Jim Holloway pointed out that more submissions were in favour of leaving it open, but he said if it was left open, there would be a huge responsibility on a lot of agencies to play their part in tackling the antisocial behaviour problem in the area. Cllr Suzanne Jamal said several people in the area were seriously affected by the antisocial behaviour there. "For people who are in this situation, the problem is there on a daily, monthly basis," she said. Cllr Peadar Tóibín said he sympathised massively with the people living near the gap who were suffering day in, day out because of antisocial behaviour. Cllr Anton McCabe said the council should work with the Joint Policing Committee on the issue. Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said if the gap was closed, the people in Townspark would not be able to access the nearby shopping facilities and, if a decision was taken to leave it open, they would have to address the problem of antisocial behaviour there. The problem was that people were breaking the law, said Cllr Shane Cassells and he warned against creating a situation of 'them and us'. He said an example of where an access worked well was at Spire View in Johnstown where there was a floodlit walkway down to the shopping centre. Cllr Francis Deane said it was a very difficult situation. "It is a nightmare for people living beside it," he said, suggesting the issue be referred to the Joint Policing Committee.