Navan Cycle Network Priority List

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020
by Ed Moynihan

Navan Cycling Initiative’s list prioritising the cycle lanes most needed to make it safer to cycle in Navan

The Navan Cycle Network is a a planned cycle network produced by the National Transport Authority as part of the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan. You can read more about the plans in full here.

At present, the existing Navan Cycle Network is largely incomplete and disconnected, with partial sections done on Na2, Na3 and Na5 only. Navan Cycling Initiative have put together the below list prioritising what sections are needed most urgently in order to make if safer to cycle in Navan.

1) Na6 Windtown Road to Commons Road (North Section)

The Na6 North section, running from Windtown Road to Flower Hill, is the road which most urgently requires safe provision for cyclists. Blackwater Park is the biggest outdoor recreational area in Navan, yet for the majority of the people it is difficult to access, and most people tend to drive there as it is simply too dangerous to cycle. In addition, the construction of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway will lead to an increase in journeys on the Ratholdren Road. The planned Local Distributor Road 4 alongside Blackwater Park will provide safe access from the west of the town, but the Rathholdren Road will still be used by people coming from the east, plus the new Distributor Road may be some years off. In addition, St Paul’s School, Oakleaves Pre School, Scoil Naomh Eoin, and Aura Leisure Navan all combine to make Ratholdren Road an extremely busy road which at present is dangerous and hostile to vulnerable road users, with large volumes of motorised traffic at all times.

2) Na1 R147 Dublin/Kells Road

The R147 Dublin Road runs through the heart of Navan Town and the delivery of safe cycling infrastructure here would connect a lot of different areas. From Johnstown, it would connect up with the existing cycling infrastructure (Na4 and Na2), and the Dublin Road is the most direct route from Johnstown into the town centre. It would make it safe for people cycling from Old Balreask Woods, Kennastown, Kilcarn Court and the Lime Kiln areas and provide a direct route into the town centre. It also has great potential to reduce vehicular traffic on this busy route, as over 80% of car journeys into Navan Town centre are under 5km. Similarly, it would be provide a direct route for people coming from north Navan who wish to travel south on the Dublin Road, and connect up with existing cycling infrastructure at the N51 junction (Na5).

3) Na7 Proudstown Road to Trim Road

The Na7 south section is in construction (as part of the Athlumney to Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme). The Na7 north section would play a vital role in providing a safe cycling route into the town centre from the north of Navan. Flower Hill is the quickest route yet is one way, but a segregated, contra-flow cycle lane here would greatly increase accessibility to the town centre. The Proudstown Road is a very busy road, with vehicular traffic regularly backed up as far as Clongmaggaden Road, as well as very heavy HGV use looking to make their way to the M3 motorway, leading to a very unsafe cycling experience, with lots of young cyclists using the path. St Oliver Plunketts School, St Paul’s School (accessed through Beaufort Place), the Children’s House Montessori, and Scoil na nOg Montessori make it a very busy access route for school children. In addition, Blackcastle shopping centre, Simonstown GAA, Navan Racecourse and Navan Adventure Centre are all accessed on the route.

4) Na4 Southern Ring

This would connect up with the existing cycling infrastructure at the N51 (Na5) – although the junction at Andy Connolly Roundabout would need special attention – and also with the Athlumney to Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme (Na7 part, currently in construction) at Beechmount, to create a completed ‘loop’ of Navan south. It would also service a lot of housing estates and areas through Clogherboy, along Claremount Avenue and Dan Shaw Road, as well as the Beechmount Industrial Park. Past the Trim Road, there is a possible alternative route using the new railway line path alongside Beaufort College.

5) Na3 Fairgreen to Johnstown

In construction from Fairgreen to Convent Road, as part of the Athlumney to Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme. The specific plans at Convent Road are unclear. The R153 Kentstown Road needs dedicated safe cycling infrastructure to allow safe access from Athlumney and Johnstown.

6) Na5 Athboy Road to Slane Road

Largely completed, albeit in sections, from the Andy Connolly Roundabout/N51 to Kells Road Roundabout, and from the N51/Kells Road junction to the Slane Road. Large sections along the N51/Abbeylands Road and the N51 south of Kells Roundabout are in dire need of upgrading to improve cyclists priority, connectivity and bike lane surfaces.