‘Outdated thinking’: Cycling group responds to councillors’ comments over Dunboyne–Clonee Active Travel Project
A cycling community group has said it is “disappointing” to see some councillors in the Ratoath Municipal District criticise the Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Links.
Navan Cycling Initiative described the comments as “really outdated stuff” and urged the council to prioritise safe, modern, and connected networks for walking and cycling.
The Part 8 Planning Application for the project was presented at last month’s Ratoath Municipal District meeting, where some councillors called it “a waste of money” and claimed “people do not want cycle lanes.”
Navan Cycling Initiative strongly disagreed, highlighting the growing traffic pressures in towns like Ratoath and Dunboyne.
“Ratoath has approximately 1km of cycle lanes on only one road – which start and end nowhere and don’t connect to anything. It certainly wouldn’t encourage anyone to use it,” the group said on a social media post.
“If you want to get more people to make the move to active travel, you have to build safe, modern, connected networks. Towns like Ratoath and Dunboyne are rapidly expanding and already cannot cope with the volume of traffic. The only way to reduce congestion is to offer alternatives, especially to schools and local amenities.”
They added: “These schemes are also not just for cycle lanes. A massive part is for public realm improvements, something our towns and villages badly need. They include new paths, upgraded bus stops, road surfaces, traffic calming, and safer junctions for all.
"The large majority of people are in favour, and research shows many would swap the car for walking, cycling, or public transport for short journeys – if it is made safe to do so.”
Meanwhile, a public consultation is open for residents to have their say. The development would involve upgrades to Rooske Road, Station Road, and the Old Navan Road, along with a new off-road greenway from Castlefarm in Dunboyne to the R149 Lucan Road at Clonee.
The 4.5-kilometre scheme includes two-way and one-way cycle tracks, widened footpaths, shared pedestrian and cycle routes, safer junctions with raised tables, upgraded traffic signals, reconfigured on-street parking, and improved bus stops.
According to the consultation, the project underwent both Appropriate Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment screening, which means there are no significant environmental effects and that a full EIA is not required. Members of the public may apply to An Coimisiún Pleanála for a screening determination within four weeks of the notice.
Plans and detailed drawings are available for inspection at Meath County Council offices in Navan and Dunshaughlin, at Dunboyne Library, and online.
Submissions and observations can be made online or in writing to the council’s Planning Department until December 1, 2025.