‘Locals playing Russian Roulette with their lives’ – Call for action on ‘notorious’ Navan junction
A Meath junction has again been described as “notoriously” unsafe by a local councillor after a recent collision.
Aontú councillor Emer Tóibín is calling for “immediate action” at the Borallion/Balreask junction on Trim Road in Navan.
She said the latest collision highlights the daily risks faced by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians at the "long-problematic” junction.
“For years, locals have been forced to navigate this junction, essentially playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with their lives,” she said.
The junction has been repeatedly raised in petitions and council meetings, but Cllr Tóibín said no significant improvements have been made.
She described the cancellation of the Pathfinder cycle scheme, which had promised a safety-focused redesign, as a major setback for residents and road users.
“We cannot continue with this haphazard layout for another year. Delivery and implementation of a revised junction design in 2026 is critical to preventing further accidents and injuries,” she said.
“This latest incident, alongside years of accidents and near-misses, must galvanise Meath County Council into long-overdue action. This junction is simply not safe and has not been safe for years.”
She suggested that a roundabout remains the "most sensible solution”, noting that cutting back a nearby hedgerow may now provide sufficient space in line with design standards.
“Driver responsibility is, of course, a key component of road safety. However, this junction has seen far too many accidents and near-misses over the years to dismiss the problem as driver behaviour alone,” she said.
“The frequency and pattern of incidents clearly point to the need for remedial works and a proper junction redesign.”
"Where a layout repeatedly gives rise to collisions, the onus is on the local authority to intervene, redesign, and make the road environment safer for all users. Meath County Council has a duty to the people of the county to do this,” Cllr Tóibín added.