Calls to address ‘dangerous’ footpaths in Navan estate – ‘something needs to be done’
Calls have been made for a “dangerous” footpath in a Navan housing estate to be taken in charge by Meath County Council.
At the February meeting of Navan Municipal District, Independent councillor Alan Lawes asked when Priory Estate in Johnstown would be taken over by the local authority.
He was informed that the council’s planning department has a valid taking-in-charge request for the estate, which was received in June 2021.
In a written response, Meath County Council said it was unable to provide a timeframe for processing the request but that efforts would be made to expedite the process.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Lawes described the response as “generic” and expressed frustration at the lack of progress.
“It was a generic response that said nothing about when it is going to happen,” he said.
“We’ve got this meaningless answer every time we’ve asked when it’s going to happen.”
“Taking in charge” refers to the process by which a local authority assumes responsibility for roads, footpaths, services and public areas within a housing estate.
Cllr Lawes said conditions in Priory Estate have deteriorated, with potholes and damaged footpaths posing a risk to residents.
“There are potholes now appearing on the road, but the real problem is the paths. Some of the paths have dropped, with gaps of two to three inches between sections,” he said.
"Older people have fallen there and have had serious accidents over those paths.”
“With health and safety in mind, the paths are really dangerous and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
He added that other councillors have also raised concerns about the estate and voiced “disappointment” at the continued lack of action.
“We are getting nothing, but something needs to be done,” he said.