‘Full’ review of Navan traffic changes called for amid business concerns
Calls have been made for a full assessment of traffic direction changes introduced in Navan town centre in January 2024, following concerns from councillors, businesses and residents.
At the December meeting of Navan Municipal District, Aontú councillor Emer Tóibín called on the council to review traffic changes on Ludlow Street and Bridge Street, including the reversal of traffic flow at the southern end of Market Square, “where only buses, taxis, and bicycles are now permitted to travel from Ludlow Street”.
“This review should also include the rerouting of buses through the town centre, with all elements assessed against their impacts on congestion, pedestrian safety, commercial activity, and overall traffic flow,” her motion stated.
The council’s written response said the objectives of the Navan Town Centre Integrated Public Realm and Movement Plan (Navan 2030) had been “achieved” through works delivered to date, including improved pedestrian facilities and signalised crossings on raised tables, designed to enhance accessibility and introduce traffic calming.
It also said that the reversal of traffic on Bridge Street and Ludlow Street, and the introduction of the Market Square bus gate, had “successfully provided access to the heart of Navan” for regional and inter-urban bus services, with usage increasing.
The response noted that a Navan Area-Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) is underway and will inform future planning.
Cllr Tóibín said the response received from council officials failed to address those specific concerns.
She said her request was for a full assessment of the impact and effectiveness of the January 2024 changes, but that the reply instead restated the “intended objectives” of Navan 2030 and “asserted” that those objectives had been “achieved”.
“What is missing is any evidence-based evaluation of actual congestion levels before versus after the changes, impacts on journey times for private motorists, commercial vehicles, and emergency services, effects on pedestrian safety, including near-miss data and collision statistics,” she said.
Her list also included the impacts on town-centre footfall and commercial activity, the effect of rerouted bus traffic on residents and businesses on the streets highlighted and “the lived experiences of town users, who have repeatedly raised concerns with councillors.”
She said her motion sought “answers to those real-world outcomes, not a restatement of policy aspirations.”
She added that while the ABTA process is welcome, “it cannot substitute for an assessment of the changes that have already been implemented and are already affecting residents, businesses, and commuters”.
“The Council made significant traffic alterations in January 2024; therefore, the Council should be able to provide a clear, transparent, measurable evaluation of their impact,” she said.
Cllr Tóibín also outlined concerns being raised with her by local businesses and residents.
“One business in Ludlow Street is moving out in the new year. Another said business was down 30 to 35pc.
“Market Square is at a standstill, buses are delayed. Journey times are longer. I live 8km outside the town and my journey time has doubled.
“I was speaking to a local postman four weeks ago and he said he never before saw the volume of parcels being delivered, it was way bigger than the normal seasonal increase.”
She said residents living a few kilometres outside Navan were increasingly choosing to shop in Trim or Blanchardstown due to congestion and access difficulties.
Fine Gael councillor Yemi Adenuga supported the motion, saying “recognising the investment and supporting a full assessment are not mutually exclusive, as a matter of fact, it goes hand in hand”.
She added the review “should be standard practice” following a major change.
“The motion is about now so we can pro-actively address any issues and build on what is working,” she said.
Independent Councillor Alan Lawes said he “wonders” about the impact on the town over Christmas, asking if the roadworks are affecting business and if the works could be suspended in the run up to Christmas.
Meanwhile, the Mayor, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, said trade in Navan is “down for many reasons”.
“There’s always roadworks going on…we do have a number of new junctions that we didn’t have before. The road in from Kells is somewhat problematic,” he said.
Director of Services Martin Murray said the ABTA study will provide comparisons.
“We don't want to lose sight of the overall objective there. Quite clearly it has successfully increased public transportation use - the objective of 2030.”