Footpath from new Navan housing estate to retail park urgently needed - Fennessy

A CALL has been made for the provision of a footpath from the entrance to the new Bailey's Hill estate in Navan to the nearby Navan Retail Park.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy, is urging Transport Infrastructure Ireland to provide a footpath there in the interest of pedestrian safety.

At a recent meeting of Navan Municipal Council, Cllr Fennessy called on the council to authorise the construction of a footpath from the signalised traffic junction Bailey Hill on the Moat Road to the retail park. He was told the section of the N51 from the Mullaghboy/Andy Connolly Roundabout and the traffic lights "is currently being assessed with regard to road pavement/surface rehabilitation, while also assessing the options and feasibility of providing pedestrian facilities on this section of the N51."

"The council is not in a position to authorise the construction of a footpath until TII approves the feasibility report and approves the required funding.

Cllr Fennessy said: "The installation of pedestrian safety infrastructure at the Andy Connolly roundabout is something I've campaigned for a number of years.

"The council's long-term plan was always, to direct pedestrian traffic towards a new controlled junction near the hospital. A condition of planning granted to the developer who built Bailey Hill was that they install traffic lights at that junction.

"The traffic lights were installed a couple of months ago and I'd like to see movement on this as quickly as possible.

"Pedestrians, workers and students who access Navan Retail Park on a daily basis, run the risk of very serious injury from speeding motorists. My only surprise is that there hasn't been a serious accident there yet.

"I urge TII to provide the funding required to commence this project and deliver it immediately."