Luas for Navan

Meath Chronicle, 12th Sept 2007

THE prospect of Navan obtaining its own light passenger rail system, using the existing rail tracks that encircle the town, has been highlighted as local councillors prepare the way to have the Local Area Plan Four (LAP 4) get the go-ahead from Meath County Council.
Councillors in Navan are backing the stated policy in LAP 4 that the planning authority would do all in its power to develop "the potential of the existing rail line for passenger and general services either as a rail or quality bus service".
A major commercial and residential development on a 130-acre site between the Boyne and Athlumney roads in the town is also about to go to planning as soon as LAP 4 is formally adopted. The Ramparts developed is likely to generate substantial numbers of new jobs and will include a large school, medical centres and office campus.
In relation to the light rail project, the vision of councillors is the rejuvenation of the former Kingscourt to Navan, Oldcastle to Navan and Navan to Drogheda tracks for a light rail or Luas-style tram system to alleviate the town`s ever worsening traffic congestion. Major stops at Mullaghboy, Kells Road (the former Navan Carpets site), Windtown Road and Railway Street are envisaged under the plan.
The Railway Street stop would link with the Navan/Dunboyne line when it is developed.
Councillors Tommy Reilly and Jim Holloway and Navan Chamber of Commerce president Eamonn Gavigan all voiced enthusiasm for the concept and urged the authorities, including Iarnrod Eireann, to fully develop the opportunity.
Colr Reilly said it would be the answer to a prayer for residents, who continue to suffer from the town`s traffic difficulties. An imaginative approach such as this to the town`s problems must be taken seriously and an initiative taken, he added.
For Colr Holloway, it is "a unique opportunity". He said: "No town has the potential that Navan`s existing rail corridor offers from one side of the town to the other." In other towns, there are obstacles such as buildings in the way of such an initiative.
The Chamber of Commerce president pointed to the projected population growth in the next decade or 15 years in Navan to 45,000 to 50,000. "If we have a vision now to deliver a service, it`s well worth looking at it," he said.
Overall, the councillors and Chamber president were happy that the LAP 4 had been agreed at Monday`s area council meeting without any material contravention required. In response to concerns of residents of Bailis Manor and Tubberclare estate, a walkway linking a major development in the LAP with their area has been removed by amendment. But this does not require the LAP 4 to go back on public display.
It is expected that it will go before the October meeting of the full county council with a recommendation from the area council for adoption.
As the LAP Four reached this stage, Meath-based development company Albert Developments was preparing to submit a planning application to Meath County Council for a mixed use development on a 130 acre site on the outskirts of Navan. The Ramparts development is likely to generate substantial long-term employment opportunities and the plan includes a school.
The massive site is located on land at the back of St Mary`s Cemetery, Boyne Road, as far as the Kentstown Road area. It would connect the two roads via a new regional road. Located to the east of the town, it formerly formed part of the Athlumney estate.
The developers have described the "unique quality" of its planned development as it would "integrate everything you need to live, from a state of the art 32-classroom school, a crèche and a medical centre to a landmark office campus, quiet residential avenues, relaxing coffee shops, restaurants, bistro and well-appointed convenience shopping - all within walking distance".
The proposed development designates 49,000 square metres for a commercial campus with high-quality own-door office units, light industrial units and about 1,200 secure parking spaces. It is proposed that the campus will offer unique high-specification offices available for sale or let.
A 10 acre parkland will form an important amenity area within The Ramparts, together with a large open plaza and substantial public parking - integrating everything that is required to work and live within easy walking distance of each other.
Albert Developments, based on the Kells Road, is headed up by local businessman William Smyth. Previous successful developments include Fitzwilliam Court, Drogheda, and a network of Fitzwilliam Business Centres which provide office and residential accommodation.

The gas thing about this 'plan' is that the site favoured for Navan station for the Clonsilla line will be half a mile away from the suggested railway street stop - that isn't integration

The consultants didn't want to extend the line on from the Trim road to the former site of Navan Junction where the lines converged