Navan was “blessed and lucky” to escape the worst of the recent flooding, Fine Gael Cllr Yemi Adenuga told a meeting of the Municipal District. She praised town engineer Shane Durkin and his team for their work for the area. “We have a system that prevents these types of occurrences. “Well done, keep up the great work”, she said. Separately, Independent Cllr Alan Lawes asked for a timeline for the taking over by the council of the Priory estate. He said it was frustrating that there had been a five-year wait for the process to be implemented. He and Aontu Cllr Emer Toibin had been asking the same question over and over. “We really need to look at this and see how we can expedite this very quickly”.
Independent Cllr Francis Deane raised the issue of resurfacing at number 33-36 Benildus Villas. In a notice of motion tabled at the MD meeting Fine Gael Cllr John Duffy called on the council to implement an urban renewal (regeneration) for Academy Street in the town. He said the objective should be to develop a “proper neighbourhood retail offering given the significant developments now taking place in that area, namely Baker Hall, Knockboyne, together with two schools”. He said the council should take more of an interest in that area. There was no real convenience shopping offering in that area apart from the petrol station.
Aontu Cllr Emer Toibin said that Cllr Duffy’s notice of motion was a very good one. Some review or assessment might be needed. Cllr Lawes said there were some businesses on that street and everything possible should be done to support them and keep them there. Cathaoirleach Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said there had been grants and reductions in rates for businesses at Kennedy Place and Kennedy Road and perhaps the council should now be looking at Academy Street.
Director of Services Martin Murray said there were very clear plans for a section of that area. Cllr Francis Deane has called for the installation of three lading bays on Metges Lane to accommodate the needs of local retailers. He has also called on the council to erect a wheelchair
accessible carousal in Blackwater Park.
Cllr Fitzsimons called on the council to introduce safety measures to prevent speeding in Robinstown Village, specifically on L40071 at Scoil Mhuire National School and on the L4008 which runs through the village.
