Letter to the Editor: Is it time to rethink Navan 2030 scheme?
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear Sir,
As the Navan 2030 Plan focused on people first, the Public Realm and Movement, its ironic that if now fully implemented it will return huge numbers of buses to the more pleasant, safer and relatively quieter streets of the town following the simple, inexpensive and successful relocation of buses to Abbey Road.
The proposed change to a new terminus on Kennedy Road in the most densely pedestrianised and active part of the town combined with the constant bus movements through the most narrow and business orientated streets of Market Square, Ludlow, Bridge and Watergate Streets will create and concentrate day long noise and pollution where most shoppers, kids, diners, entertainers, workers and passers-by gather.
This will be a major step backwards, a damaging constraint on the town into the future and a far cry from the award-winning 1999 Navan Civic Space Plan by Paul Keogh which regrettably the council have already allowed to revert to a full time car park.
When towns and cities everywhere are reallocating road, footpath and public space to social activities, outdoor dining, public seating and amenities Navan is reverting back to heavy traffic at its heart.
Along with others, I made an objection and a submission to this Plan in 2017 suggesting full pedestrianisation of part of Kennedy Road and a Pamplona style bus station under the Fair Green. In my opinion, the objections at the time received little consideration as this extensive and expensive Navan 2030 Plan had already been commissioned.
Using existing roads buses clearly are the future, the most accessible, flexible, adaptable and sensible form of transport and our only hope for decent and regular connections with all parts of county and country in the long term. Even when all buses are eventually converted to electric or hydrogen they should not be allowed to create a nuisance or traffic hazard and where possible must be kept well separated from heavily pedestrianised areas. As a very frequent NX bus and town centre user pre-Covid I see no good reason to move present bus stops from Abbey Road and I hope many will agree especially the council and councillors.
Yours,
Martin Mallon.
MRIAI.
Wilkinstown