Campaign to connect new Greenway to Navan Town
Navan Cycling Initiative are asking local residents to support their campaign to connect Navan Town to the new Greenway, to make it accessible for everyone.
The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway opened officially on Sunday 12th May.
"It is a fantastic flat, traffic free 30km route from Ratholdren Road in Navan to Kingscourt, County Cavan," said Ed Moynihan, Chairperson of Navan Cycling Initiative.
“Having this Greenway on our doorstep is an amazing asset for the town, yet we are still nowhere close to realising the full potential of it. It's incredible that there’s no safe access for people arriving on foot, or by scooter or bike. Businesses in the town are losing out every day from people arriving in Navan and having no way to grab a drink, a bite to eat and see the town. The current plan is to eventually connect with the Kells Road, but this is years away - what are locals and visitors supposed to do until then?
"Imagine a family with children on bikes, coming from Kingscourt, Nobber etc arriving at Rathaldren Road – they have to hope that the toilets at Blackwater Park are open and they will have to brave heavy traffic to get an ice cream.
"Safe access along Rathaldren Road – sooner rather than later – will open up Navan for day-trippers and overnight visitors that travel from Kingscourt and places north.”
Mr Moynihan pointed out the area around the Greenway also has the town’s leisure centre, main park, and multiple schools including St Paul's who have almost 800 students – who would all benefit from improvements, and it would reduce the heavy traffic on Ratholdren Road.
Navan Cycling Initiative are asking locals to sign their petition, to show support and ensure the Greenway gets connected to the town without further delay.
The petition can be accessed at change.org/navan-greenway.
Navan Cycling Initiative is a community-based group and a branch of the Irish Cycling Campaign, that aims to make active travel in Navan and surrounding areas safe, enjoyable, and popular for everyone.
"We hope to encourage people to use active travel as part of their normal daily transport as well as a leisure activity and help Navan to become a cycle and pedestrian-friendly town."