'We're shifting from the traditional approach of planning for cars to planning for people'
Meath County Council says there has been a relatively minor overall reduction in the number of parking spaces in Navan since work on the Navan 2030 scheme began.
In response to the petition by businesses in the Market Square area, the council point out that its efforts have been focused on making Navan more accessible and safer for pedestrians, in combination with significant improvements to public transport, and on enhancing and revitalising the town centre.
The acknowledge the reduction in parking but say it has been required" to provide for a new public transport interchange which facilitated the relocation of the bus stops from Railway Street and Market Square and improved access to the town centre for public transport."
"The works have also included significant public realm improvements to the town centre, including new footpaths, widening of existing footpaths, signalisation of pedestrian crossings to improve safety, upgrades to public lighting, and measures to slow down traffic movements, amongst other improvements," according to a council statement.
Navan 2030 has been designed to meet the needs of the ever-expanding population of Navan, which is predicted to increase to approximately 58,000 in 2050.
"This is done by shifting from the traditional approach of planning for volumes of cars, which typically results in places dominated by cars, to planning for people, with the aim of creating and delivering places for people," according to the statement.
The council says the existing roads and junctions cannot cater for the volumes of traffic and it is unreasonable to expect that increased levels of private car use will improve the present situation. Instead, a more sustainable solution is currently being delivered in Navan to make active travel and public transport attractive choices that are accessible to all.
The council has constructed over 50 new bus stops and upgraded 12 existing bus stops in 2020, to facilitate the replacement of the old town bus service in Navan with two new bus routes. The new bus services (N1 and N2) were launched in December 2020, and a dramatic increase in passengers using the latest public transport services has been observed since this date.
The council has also increased the number of out-of-town parking spaces in Navan by constructing a new Park and Ride facility on the N51 at Moatlands, which is served by the Navan to Dublin NX express services and provides 181 car parking spaces.
The council points out that if only half of the 29,000 monthly average passengers on the town bus services were car trips destined for the town centre, this would equate to over 400 car trips a day being ‘removed’ from the town centre ‘network’. This reduces the number of local private car trips, but also frees up capacity in the road network, and provides potential for parking for those unable to access the town bus services.
In relation to the proposal to allow the bus gate at Market Square to be used by private vehicles the council says this would encourage increased levels of private car use in the town centre and would significantly exacerbate levels of traffic congestion at the Kennedy Road/Trimgate Street/Kennedy Road junction.
If the bus gate were to be used by private and/or commercial vehicles, this would have a negative effect on the punctuality of the bus services using this route.
Proposals to increase the number of car parking spaces and remove bus priority at Market Square would only serve to significantly impede the bus services, reducing their overall reliability and significantly impinging on bus passenger satisfaction levels with the current town bus services.
The council says that while the reduction in parking spaces has raised concerns among local traders and customers, it is essential to recognise that these changes are part of a broader strategy designed to accommodate the growing population and enhance public transport. The significant increase in public transport use demonstrates a shift towards more sustainable transportation options, alleviating vehicular pressure on the town’s infrastructure.
"As Navan continues to evolve, the focus remains on balancing the needs of all residents and visitors, fostering a vibrant community, and ensuring that the town is equipped to meet future challenges," the council statement concludes.