'Navan has been getting a face lift, but at the expense of drivers with disabilities'

The loss of disabled parking bays in Navan is a big blow to people with disabilities, according to Navan man, Phil Quinlan, who has limited mobility.

"It is only getting worse for disabled parkers. The number of parking bays have been reduced by the council over the years.

"Navan has been getting a face lift, but at the expense of drivers with disabilities."

Phil recalls the disabled parking bay on Market Square used to be in a prized location.

"Understandably it had to be removed for the new traffic layout - but it was not replaced on the Square."

He suggests it could have been replaced with a space outside the AIB, Ode Cafe or the Hansel and Gretel bakery.

"Disabled parking spots on Metges Lane would be ideal for visiting the cinema or having a coffee close.

"I can get up from bed very early to drive down town and secure a decent parking spot, but others mightn't be in the same position as me.

"It seems there's scant thought put into the location of these bays by the council. I mean, there's one across the road from what used to be Annaville's bakery on Brews Hill. This serves very little purpose as its not very close to anything. Similarly outside the estate agents on Brews Hill. I doubt there are many disabled drivers that are needing to buy/sell properties."

He points out these could have been located closer to the chemist.

"The disabled parking bays should be outside chemists, doctor's surgeries, banks, the post office and entertainment venues - as we are allowed out at night!"

"There is only one disabled space on our main street which, in my opinion, is the most abused. There are none on a number of streets".

Phil, has put forward a number of suitable locations for disabled parking spots in Navan.

He suggests bays could be provided outside the dentists, Jack Kiernan's, MacDonalds, or O'Leary's (formerly Tunneys) opticians in Trimgate Street.

In Ludlow Street, he suggests opposite the dentist, outside the Newgrange in Bridge Street and at the Seven Arches in Academy Street.

He suggests keeping the bay outside the library in Railway Street but locating others at the Mercy, bakery and, opposite the old council offices.

Phil says another bay should be provided in Watergate Street and on Kennedy Road they should be located as close to the bus stops as possible.

He says that at Kennedy Place one should be provided close to the social welfare office. He proposes one outside St Ultan’s Special School and opposite Maxol as suitable locations on Flower Hill.

Phil recalls the best defence of disabled parking bays he ever come across was firstly in a Dublin city centre carpark.

"I pulled into a disabled spot in a well known shopping centre and stopped on top of a large orange disc. As soon as I alighted the car, a loud recorded message sprang into action.

"Please only park in this disabled bay if you have an accredited blue badge. To me, this was incredible. Brilliant.

"Years later I spied the same at the main entrance of Navan hospital. However, sadly, they didn't last too long.

"Maybe some electronic device is needed to alert the traffic warden if an errant driver parks in a disabled bay.

"A chip could be placed on the disabled blue badge which would link in with a bluetooth/ connected device at the parking place. The warden could then prioritise if the driver didn't have the correct credentials!

Phil was a promising athlete and footballer before he was injured during a football accident as a teenager in 1989. Six weeks later he woke from a coma, paralysed on one side and disabled for life. He had his biography 'A Bang on the Ear' published last year.

"I'd love to work hand in hand with Meath County Council to ensure better parking bays for the disabled commuity."

Meath County Council has been approached for comment.