Navan Cycling Initiative calls for upgrades in Slane Public Realm Plan
Following the recent approval of the long-awaited Slane Bypass, local cycling advocates are urging Meath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to revise the accompanying Public Realm Plan for Slane Village, citing a lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure.
The Navan Cycling Initiative (NCI), a community-based group promoting safer and more accessible cycling, has voiced concerns over what they describe as a “lack of ambition” in the current plans for Slane’s main streets.
According to NCI, the Slane Public Realm Plan, first published in 2022, outlines design improvements for the heart of the village but includes no dedicated cycling infrastructure on either of the two main roads — Main Street (N51) or Chapel Street (N52), despite the majority of submissions asking for them.
“The updated plan was not changed to include any dedicated cycling infrastructure in the main two streets in the village. This despite there being two lanes for traffic, and two rows of car parking, retained,” the group said in a statement.
NCI argues that space for segregated cycling infrastructure could be created by reallocating one row of car parking, especially as a new off-street car park is set to be developed on the main street, eliminating the need for additional on-street parking spaces.
They added: “St. Patrick’s National School, located north of the village centre, falls within the study area of the scheme, yet the plans do not include any cycling infrastructure connecting it to the village or main streets, which is completely unacceptable.”
NCI is also calling for changes to other key sections of the plan. They said on Mill Hill, the current proposal includes a northbound-only cycle lane, leaving southbound cyclists without a safe alternative. The group is instead advocating for a two-way cycle lane to improve access between Slane Bridge and the village centre.
Likewise, NCI is urging authorities to rethink the planned shared footway and cycleway on the new dual carriageway bridge, and instead provide fully segregated cycling lanes to ensure safety and usability.
Speaking on the Realm Plan, they said: “This scheme will totally transform Slane and further enhance the village to be a vibrant location for people to live, work and visit, and so it is crucial that it is done right.”
Meath County Council has been contacted for comment.