Trim's Navangate upgrade is rejected by local cllrs

Controversial plans for the upgrade of Navangate in Trim, that would see parking on the street reduced from 18 spaces to just one, have been shot down by local councillors. A part eight planning report was before local town councillors at their meeting last week which recommended that approval be given for the development, which consists of the reconstruction of roads and footpaths for a length of 380m, the replacement of the 100mm cast iron water main, ducting for the removal of all overhead cables and provision of ancillary ducting for future utilities. A total of 103 submissions were received on the plans which raised concerns about the proposed loss in parking spaces, the potential negative impact on business-owners and nearby streets as a result and the potential loss of jobs and business closures. Concern was also raised regarding the ownership of a tarmacadam strip at the front of the FBD buiding. The proposed plan would see the street widened from its existing width of 5.6m to a proposed width of 6.4m, footpaths would be maintained on both sides of the street which would be 2m or wider, existing road surfaces would be removed and replaced with an asphalt wearing course and footpaths constructed with cobble lock. The plans also included the provision of bollards, where necessary, to prevent illegal parking and new public lighting was proposed on purpose-built steel columns. The proposed works would result in the loss of 17 car parking spaces along Navangate between the entrance to Griffin Park and the approach to Haggard Street, a move which was opposed by both residents and traders. Councillors unanimously rejected the proposed plan and have asked planners and engineers to investigate making Navangate a one-way street, travelling in the direction of the town centre, and to retain parking on the street. At last week's meeting, Cllr Phil Cantwell said any improvement of the street was to be welcomed but he could not accept what was being proposed because of the impact on businesspeople and residents. Cllr James O'Shea said that, as a resident of Navangate, he was disappoined there was no accommodation for residents and businesspeople to park there. He proposed that the plan be rejected and said he was "optimistic" that an alternative could be found. He further proposed that a one-way system be looked at as soon as possible. Cllr Ronan McKenna said he appreciated the design was based on best practice but asked if there was any latitude to reduce the width of the road to the minimum width. This proposal was also suggested by local residents. Town engineer Vincent Collins said the consulting engineers had surveyed the street and tried every combination they could come up with but that the residents' proposal would not work. Cllr Gerry Reilly said that parking had always been a big concern on the street and that they had to try to support the businesspeople. He agreed it was time to look at the one-way system. "The original plan had three spaces. It is backwards if we went to one. The plan in front of us has to go back to the drawing board," he said. Cllr Donall O'Brien said: "To go from 18 spaces to one can't be done. The minimum widths was good to look at but, if it is not feasible, one-way is the best way to go. It is the only logical solution." Cllr Willie Fay said if there was no parking, trucks would not be able to unload and no-one could stop at the shop there. He said parking not being available would close the shop. Cllr Ray Butler also raised the issue of drainage and sewerage and asked for this to be addressed in the plan as well, as several houses at Navangate had flooded during heavy rainfall. Mr Collins said the surface water issue had been dealt with but Cllr Vincent McHugh replied that "if it was done, it wasn't done right". Councillors unanimously rejected the plan before them and asked the engineers to look at devising a one-way system with parking and the recommended widths and come back with a revised application. The revised plan will need to go on public display again.