‘The current parking and traffic situation cannot continue’

Businesses in the Market Square area of Navan have identified a number of spots where additional parking could be made available.

A call for additional spaces comes amid warnings that businesses will close and jobs will be lost due to the lack of parking.

A petition signed by the business owners and members of the local community makes an “urgent request” that the council “address the severe shortage of car parking spaces in the Market Square area of Navan town centre.”

Local businesswoman Lorraine Carolan said: “The current lack of available parking has reached a crisis point. Many of our customers are unable to find parking spaces within a reasonable distance, forcing them to leave without making a purchase or, worse, to stop visiting altogether.

“This issue has become a significant barrier to the success of local businesses, causing a direct and measurable decline in trade and threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on a steady flow of customers.

“This is not a small issue; it is a fundamental obstacle that is directly affecting our bottom lines. With fewer people able to access our businesses, sales have dropped by over 50 per cent, and our ability to remain competitive is rapidly diminishing. For some of us, this will lead to the closure of our businesses and the loss of jobs,” she warned

The petition highlights the scarcity of parking and claims the new traffic layout is negatively impacting the entire area.

“Visitors and residents are frustrated by the constant struggle to find spaces, constant congestion, increased traffic, and environmental harm. It’s clear that this issue is not only affecting local commerce but also diminishing the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, or shops in the area.

“We fully recognise that urban planning is a complex process, but the current parking and traffic layout situation cannot continue. Local businesses are calling for all traffic to be able to utilise the bus only corridor at Market Square. The community of Navan is expanding dramatically and yet we are losing huge amounts of parking spaces. Without urgent action, many will suffer irreversible damage.

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“We call on the council to prioritise the expansion of parking facilities in order to support local economic growth and ensure our area remains vibrant and accessible.”

The petition makes a number of proposals including reinstating the car parking spaces where a bicycle lane was implemented at Apache Pizza. They say this lane was never used and would create two additional car parking spaces.

It also proposes the reduction of two taxi ranks in Market Square to one, creating two additional parking spaces and reducing the four loading bays on Bridge Street to two. The petition also calls on the council to drastically limit the amount of car parking spaces they intend to remove form the Fair Green.

It suggests the provision of an amber light at the Bridge Street junction so traffic coming off Dublin road can turn right up Bridge Street reducing congestion on Circular Road.

“We believe that investing in adequate parking will provide a substantial return for the entire community: increased foot traffic, greater customer satisfaction, and a stronger local economy. Inaction will continue to hurt businesses, frustrate residents, and negatively affect our district’s vitality.

“We strongly urge the council to act swiftly and decisively to address this critical issue either by expanding existing parking facilities or creating new ones, and urgent rethinking of traffic flow. Our businesses, employees, and customers cannot afford to wait any longer. Your support is vital to maintaining a vibrant and accessible business district,” said Ms Carolan, who operates a vape shop in the old Medical Hall premises on Ludlow Street.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons agreed that the lack of parking was a problem for businesses in the area and he supported the reduction of the number of loading bays in Bridge Street.

“I agree with the sentiments of the petition and we need to look to see how we can provide more parking.

“The provision of three hour parking in Academy Street would also be a help.”

He said one of the problems was that years ago, there was just a quarter of the population there is in Navan today, but just the same streets with the same parking.