New lease of life for Navan troublespot

Waste land adjoining Metges Lane in Navan which was a magnet for anti-social behavior is set to be transformed.

A small tract of land at the rear of the AIB which borders Metges Lane has been bought by the council which has plans to clean up the lane, open out and include this new space, install bicycle racks and give the area a long overdue facelift.

Clr Eimear Toibín said the news will come as a great relief to many, "I look forward to seeing its plans and seeing the area returned as a safe amenity for the people of Navan. There’s much relief at the news that Meath County Council has purchased a small piece of land in the town that had become synonymous with anti-social behaviour.

“For many years, this area was blighted by a catalogue of anti-social behaviour including drinking and drug-taking at all hours of the day. There is unsightly hoarding erected on a low wall to cordon off this space. Consequently, youths congregate on this waste land off the lane, and it has become a dumping ground for bottles, drug paraphernalia and rubbish”.

She said people were genuinely scared to walk around the area.

"Our Aontú office in Unity Square saw many residents call to express their concerns and one man stands out for me –he was a father of two teenage girls who were frightened to walk up the lane in the mid-afternoon as they didn’t feel safe”.

“It was an anathema to him, and indeed to me, that teenagers should feel unsafe, right in the heart of Navan town in the middle of the day and as they felt intimidated by the behaviour of a few. It was also dreadful to see a public space so dirty, unkempt and grubby”.

“I followed up with the Council and made enquiries with other landowners to see what could be done to deal with the issue. At that stage, discussions were underway to sell the small tract of land and the deal is now complete”.