Call for traffic management on road in Navan to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
A proposal to develop a new traffic management plan for the Old Athlumney Road in Navan has been brought before Meath County Council, amid growing concerns about safety and future development in the area.
At the October meeting of Navan Municipal District, Independent Councillor Francis Deane urged the council to examine measures to protect pedestrians and cyclists, suggesting that bollards or other physical safety features could be considered as part of a wider plan.
“In relation to the Old Athlumney Road, and taking future development plans into consideration, I propose that Meath County Council would look at a traffic management plan to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists going forward and consider if bollards would be a feasible option,” Cllr Deane said in his motion.
Once a quiet stretch, the Old Athlumney Road located on the south side of Navan has seen a marked increase in traffic and speeding since new housing developments were built in Farganstown.
Local residents have previously raised issues around road safety and visibility, particularly during peak hours.
In response to Cllr Deane’s motion, the council’s Transportation Section confirmed that it is currently finalising a new Traffic Calming Policy for Meath.
The policy will outline the criteria and process for assessing and implementing traffic calming measures across the county.
According to officials, the aim is to reduce vehicle speeds, improve road safety, and enhance the local environment for all road users. Once adopted, all future requests for calming measures will be evaluated under the new framework.
The council also confirmed that the Old Athlumney Road request has been added to the assessment list, meaning it will be considered once the policy is officially adopted.
If approved under the forthcoming policy, the traffic management plan could include bollards, speed reduction measures, and improved crossings to make the local road safer.