Running to Standstill.... Navigating Navan and the urgent need for some joined up thinking on the road network

Long lines of traffic slowly snaking into the centre of Navan from all directions has become the norm. The Dublin Road, Kentstown Road, Trim Road, Kells, Boyne and Slane roads are all seeing increased volumes of traffic funneled into the town with a real lack of town bypass opportunities. Here ANN CASEY outlines what is currently happening and what the aspirations might be for the future

Trim Road

Plans for a distributor road linking the Trim and Dublin roads in Navan could prove a gamechanger for traffic in the town. A planning application currently with Meath County Council proposes a link between the existing road at Springfield Glen and the Trim Road.

The new road would help ease the huge congestion on the Trim Road into Navan, which has increased considerably with new residential developments in the area.

The new road will link the Dublin Road at Limekiln and the Trim Road at Swanbrook.

The planning application was made last year by Cairn Home Properties for a 695m section of a distributor road connecting the Trim Road to the existing distributor road at Springfield Glen, which in turn connects to the Dublin Road, as well as a 64m section of road to connect to the under-construction North-South Link Street through the Swanbrook Estate.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said problems with congestion on the Trim Road are well known. "Speaking as someone who lives in the area, I'm delighted to see the orbital road move another next step closer to delivery.

"When completed the road will link the Trim and Dubin Roads. It will provide better connectivity options to motorists and it will also help to alleviate congestion problems on both of those roads.

"The link road is a very important piece of local infrastructure. It's delivery will provide multiple benefits for the people of Navan. Enhanced connectivity options and reduced journey times. Potential new bus routes on the town service and safe pedestrian and cycle access in the area. It's a win-win for everyone."

There are also plans a spur road from the Trim Road which will link with the Borallion and onto the motorway.

There are also proposals in the County Development Plan for a link from around Balreask Manor on the Trim Road to the Commons Road close to the new housing currently under construction on the Commons Road, while a further link is proposed from there to the old Athboy Road.

Slane Road

The Slane Road (N51) is a hugely busy road that funnels traffic to overwhelmed Round O junction. Proposals for distributor roads both north and south of the Slane Road would mean a huge difference to traffic tailbacks at that junction.

A new road at Blackcastle Demesne and a bridge over the Boyne, linking with the Boyne Road, is included in the County Development Plan.

Boyne Road

Traffic tailbacks at rush hour and speeding traffic at other times are among the problems on the Boyne Road in Navan.

New developments at Farganstown have seen the development of Thomas Hodgett Road from the Kenstown Road which comes to an end just short of the Boyne Road.

Cllr Fennessy says the eventual plan is to continue that road to a new crossing over the Boyne linking it with the Slane Road.

Last year, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons was told the provision of a bridge crossing and distributor road connecting the Slane Road to the Boyne Road would be assessed at a high level as part of major transport study for Navan.

Meath Co Council has appointed Systra Consultants to carry out an Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) for the town and a bridge and link road will be examined as part of the study.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said a new bridge and road would "draw traffic away from the town centre and provide safer passage for motorists crossing from one side of town to the other."

He said that much of the congestion in Navan is due to traffic coming through the town rather than around it.

“Now is the time to plan the next step. Now is the time to plan and design this much needed bridge connecting the Slane Road to the Boyne Road which in turn will connect with Athlumney and the Dublin Road, bringing welcome relief to motorists and residents in these communities.

“As one project finishes, we are then on course to continue onto the next phase rather than waiting years for further development."

Cllr Fitzsimons said that as Navan grows, we need to keep ahead of developments rather than reacting to them after the fact.

"Between feasibility, design and the planning process, this will take time so we need to act now."

He said the bridge is the most important cog of any new transport plan. "It will further enhance more direct and safer routes around the town, rather than through it."

Kentstown Road

The Kentstown Road is probably one of the most congested roads in Navan with no signs of improvement any time soon. Additional traffic from new developments on Thomas Hodgett Road will make it worse. The proposed bridge across the Boyne would help alleviate the gridlock, but the road is a victim of the high density development in the Johnstown area over the past two decades.

The problems in Johnstown are numerous, at school times and during the commuter rush. A new road currently under construction around the schools and Dunville which will merge with the old Road to Johnstown village from the Kentstown Road will help alleviate some of the congestion, as will the Safe Routes to School scheme, which is expected to alleviate congestion at school rush hour with new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure as well as traffic calming measures.

Cllr Alan Lawes fears the traffic problems will only get worse with all the new developments at Farganstown and new commercial buildings.

"If you are driving into Johnstown at 5pm or 6pm in the evening the traffic is backed from the Supervalu roundabout to the entrance to the IDA Park.

"We need some creative thinking, such as widening the road or maybe providing a slip road to the back of Supervalu or the proposed Aldi," he said.

Navan Kells Road

Despite the opening of the M3, the Kells road in Navan is still an extremely busy route, but the new LDR4 link road crossing the River Blackwater linking Ratholdren Road to the Kells road is expected to be hugely beneficial in easing congestion both on the Kells Road and the Ratholdren Road. Works began on the new road and bridge during the summer of 2024 and are expected to be completed by Q4 of 2025.” Cllr Fennessy said: "It is key infrastructural project that will improve connection options between North and South Navan for decades to come. "This phase of the project will cause disruption for local residents and businesses. Movement around the area will be difficult and traffic management systems will be in place until mid-July. “Traffic congestion is inevitable unfortunately. I ask people to be patient and to take great care when driving in the area."

Cllr Fitzsimons agrees: “This is a fantastic project, which will take huge volumes of traffic away from the town centre and allow easier and quicker access to and from North Navan and onto the M3."

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