Direction change for vehicles on Ludlow St and Bridge parked until the New Year

The reversal of traffic on Ludlow Street and Bridge Street in Navan, which was due to come into effect on 5th November has been postponed until the New Year.

The decision comes following a plea by the Navan branch of the County Meath Chamber and retailers in Navan to defer the reversal.

In an email to the council, the retailers pointed out that a recent WhatsApp poll of over 50 Navan retailers and service providers returned a result of 99.9 per cent in favour of deferring the planned traffic reversal until January 2024.

"Whilst there is widespread support from the retail sector for Navan 2030, and acceptance that the project will both enhance the physical attractiveness of the town and improve movement and access in and out of the town centre, there is a genuine fear that the timing of this phase of the project has the potential to have a very detrimental effect on business at the most crucial part of the trading year," according to the email.

"The main concerns are that the bedding in period is too tight and that the reversal of traffic during the critical Q4 juncture for retail will cause confusion and annoyance to shoppers who may decide instead to bypass Navan for their Christmas shopping." The traders point out that the next few weeks will be a critical period in what has been a particularly turbulent year for retailers in Navan, with the ongoing works and suspension of operations in Tara Mines, not to mention the devastating impact that high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis is having on the local economy.

"Consumer spending is down across the board and retailers in Navan are planning their Christmas campaign hopeful of a good return

It’s make-or-break time for many. On their behalf we ask that you defer the planned reversal of traffic on Ludlow Street, Bridge Street and Market Square until January 2024 at which time the retailers will row in behind the initiative."

In response, the council's transportation section said that having considered the representations of the retailers and consulted with the contractor, bus operators and NTA, the switchover will now take place in January.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy welcomed the move. "The Christmas shopping period is very important to local retailers. The last thing we need is people avoiding Navan and shopping elsewhere in December.

"Meath Co Council's decision to defer the traffic flow changeover to January is the right is the right thing to do.

“The bedding in period had the potential to cause disruption and confusion during such an important trading period. It could have been disastrous for local businesses.

"Thankfully, common sense has prevailed and we can now look forward to a busy trading period in Navan. I encourage people to support local traders and businesses this Christmas, to shop local and to enjoy themselves during the festive period," concluded Cllr Fennessy.