February News
Daily Local News in brief, and suggestions of what to do locally.
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Much Longer Riverside Walk
New plans have been unveiled for the Boyne Greenway and Navigation Restoration. For Navan it means an extension for the Ramparts riverside walk, run or cycle as far as Drogheda! This will be a very big attraction for Navan for locals and tourism.
The earlier Feasibility Report highlighted the proposed route options and the next stage has commenced with a Non-Statutory Public Consultation.
Your feedback is welcomed and if everything goes smoothly the the work to connect the route could commence in 2022/23.
Return to School Plan
Several weeks have passed since the December Christmas Holidays and when school children last attended classes in person.
The new roadmap hopefully brings an end to 'stop start' home schooling.
Johnstown School Campus Developements
Announced today that Coláiste na Mí and St Mary's Special School's have both received Tender Stage Approval for their respective building works from Minister Norma Foley.
The delay in getting theColáiste na Mí Secondary School Phase 2 extension built has resulted in many students using temporary buildings.
The new building for St Mary's Special School has been talked about for 30 years! The new planned home, within the Johnstown School Campus, will include 11 classrooms and associated ancillary accommodation to cater for pupils with a range of learning disabilities.
Due to the lack of onsite progress in creating these essential facilities social media comments suggest that no one is holding their breath that it will be built anytime soon. We hope that this is not the case.
Take a stroll along the Boyne
Street Lighting
Before the leaves block out anymore street lighting the trees along Metges Road began having a trim.
Community Grant Scheme
Community Groups have until March 12th to apply for grant funding.
Estate groups may wish to apply for funding to enhance their entrance areas and planting is likely to be popular.
Riverside Path Revived
As part of a 6 week project many visitors will appreciate the resurfacing works to the Ramparts Path.
The works are expected to be completed Mid March although the sections nearest Navan have already reopened.
Your chance to help make a difference
River Turtle
They say that there's wildlife to see if you know where to look but who would have thought that it would include seeing a turtle at the Basin section of the Ramparts?
Meath River Rescue attempted to help but we're not sure if they succeeded.
More On-Demand TV
If you have exhausted your viewing options or are simply bored with the mainstream 'Box Sets and Movie' libraries we've added a few alternatives to our On-Demand TV guide.
Youth Activities
Foróige, the leading youth organisation in Ireland, offers a new series of activities. You can register via www.welloige.eventbrite.com and book your place on one or all of the events.
More information of their Website
Eat, Sleep, Work and BUY locally
New Local Walking Track
Navan RFC has opened up their pitches at Balreask Old for the public to use the perimeter of their grounds for walking and running in safety and fresh air.
See the MAP of the 1km route around Balreask Old.
Phase 2 - Navan Rail Residents' Survey
Please complete the more in depth questionnaire offered by Meath County Council: https://bit.ly/MeathResidents
' As you are aware the National Transport Authority is currently considering the potential of installing a railway line between Navan and the M3 Parkway Station, near Dunboyne.
This second survey is more in-depth and will build on the responses to the first survey and have a greater focus on the need and benefits of the proposed railway to the potential users.
The aim of the survey process is to generate as much feedback as possible and to highlight the demand that exists in our communities for the extension of the rail line from Dunboyne to Navan.
Please spread the word. '
New Street Signs
New signage is starting to appear ready to attract new players to Walterstown GAA Club when Covid Restriction measures allow.
Feed them and they'll enliven your garden.
Vehicles Broken Into
A number of vans were broken into on the Dublin Rd and two estates within Johnstown. A number of items were taken between the hours of 7pm Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.
Johnstown CCTV
The Meath Chronicle announced today that 7 locations are being proposed by Meath County Council for CCTV to deter crime and antisocial behaviour in Navan South.
The image map illustrates our interpretation of the following proposed locations:
The new cameras will be installed at:
Junction of R153 (Kentstown Rd) and Metges Road,
Johnstown Roundabout at SuperValu.
Johnstown Village.
Junction of R147 Dublin Road/Metges Road.
Opposite the Willows Pub.
Junction of R137 and Sion Road (NOTE: We presume they actually mean St Martha's Bridge at the Junction of Bothar Sion and R147).
Academy Street/R147 junction.
30km/h Review
Meath County Council are reviewing the 30km/h Special Speed Limits (Housing Estates) Bye-Laws for County Meath
They invite submissions for additional housing estates to be considered for inclusion in the new updated bye-laws.
Submissions on/before 5.00pm on 31st March 2021
Read our previous review from 2018 which highlights estates operating the 30km limit.
Road Repairs
Since its last repairs in Sept 2019 the Johnstown Roundabout road surface has again becoming scarred. Today the Council carried out on the spot repairs and we understand that a more significant resurfacing will take place at a later date.
Car Collision
It's well known locally to be wary of cars running red lights at the junction at St Martha's Bridge.
Navan Gardai are seeking witnesses after they attended a two car collision 10pm Monday night.
'a grey Ford focus 12 KE was travelling straight from Navan Town Centre towards Dunshaughlin. The second car a white skoda fabia 182MH was coming from Dunshaughlin and was in the process of turning right at the traffic light controlled junction to travel towards Johnstown when the vehicles collided.'
Gardai report that three persons were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
If anyone saw the accident or have dash cam footage please contact the Gardai on 0469021445.
New Shop Coming Soon.
The newly erected sign at the former swimming pool announces that Spun Cycles & Spun Run will be the new tenant below Feel Fit Gym at the Johnstown Shopping Centre. The site had been dormant for several years and we look forward to seeing them open and wish them good luck.
You can check out what they offer in their Website, Facebook Page and their first outlet in Trim which opened in December 2015.
You may remember Graham Macken, one of the store owners, made 250 circuits of the Hill of Tara last July to raise funds for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the local Alzheimer day centre in Navan.
Transport Investment
€12,885,000 has been allocated to Meath County Council by the National Transport Authority for Sustainable Transport Measures.
The projected increased population from new housing development sees considerable investment planned for alternatives to private car use.
Click to view the €9M+ in grants allocated to the Navan area.
Navan - Trim Cycle Route (Boyne Greenway) €150,000
Navan GDA Cycle Network - Proudstown Rd to Trim Road €800,000
Navan GDA Cycle Network - Fairgreen to Johnstown €300,000
Navan 2030: Navan Traffic Management Plan (Planning and Design) €600,000
Cycle Parking €20,000 - County Allocation
Navan Bus Service Infrastructure Implementation Measures €1,500,000
Navan 2030 Contract 2: Bridge St & Abbey Rd Rdbt Upgrade €3,300,000
Safe to Schools Programme - Support Infrastructure (Selected Green Schools Walkability Audits Infrastructure) €20,000 - County Allocation
HGV Transport Study -Navan €25,000
New Projects:
Navan 2030 - Contract 3: Market Sq, Kennedy Rd / Trimgate St and Kennedy Plaza Enabling Works €1,200,000
Navan 2030 - Contract 4: N51 Park and Ride €500,000
Navan: Circular Rd to Martha's Bridge €500,000
Navan: Poolboy Bridge to Blackwater Park €200,000
Information Source
Free training for Member Groups
Meath Public Participation Network are running a range of FREE online courses over the coming weeks to support the work of our members and build the capacity of groups in the network.
The courses are free to PPN member groups and will be delivered by experienced trainers from Social Justice Ireland and the Carmichael Centre.
The classes cover a wide range of areas: from finance, to communication and what the PPN is itself. The mix of subjects could help your group with new ideas and guidance.
Social Housing
Meath County Council has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála to create 84 social housing units in the Farganstown area.
Full details can be viewed here Planning Application
Farganstown Begins
The first Planning Application files for the Farganstown Development have now been made available online via the Meath Planning Department online portal - Link to Application Ref 2121.
Our illustration image highlights the site location adjacent to the St Thomas B&B, Caislean Mainear, and accessed via both the Old Road and from the new road junction at Metges and Kentstown Road.
If you're not feeling Ok then Help is there.
New Role For Local Pub
With the pubs having been closed for months it's great to hear that Tara Na Rí at Garlow Cross is adapting its premise to host Ireland's first-ever wildlife hospital for Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland.
The pub will reopen when Covid Restrictions allow whilst the WRI utilise admin and accommodation space together with the vacant stables at the back of the premise.
Ramparts Walk Temporary Closure
Notification from Meath County Council that Maintenance Works required at The Boyne Way, Ramparts Walk from Navan Ramparts Car Park towards the ‘Bridge of the Boyne’ at Ardmulchan will be temporarily closed, in sections, to facilitate essential footpath maintenance works commencing on 2nd Feb.
Approximate duration 6 weeks.
Train Survey
"The National Transport Authority is currently considering the potential of installing a railway line between Navan and the M3 Parkway Station, near Dunboyne.
This would allow rail travel between Navan and Dublin City centre. If the project does get the go-ahead it would commence service around 2026.
Meath County Council are working with JH Public Affairs Ltd. on a survey to ascertain what demand (if any) exists in communities throughout Central and North Meath for the extension of the rail line from Dunboyne to Navan.
The survey should take two minutes and aims to capture any potential benefits the rail proposal might bring to you or your community.
In answering questions in the survey please do so under the assumption that the current Covid 19 pandemic will be under control or eliminated and that a new normal for unfettered travel will apply once again.
Please find a link to the survey below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3C8F67H
If you know of any others who may wish to participate please forward this message to them.
Your cooperation and assistance is appreciated, bearing in mind what this opportunity can mean for those living in Central/North Meath and South Cavan."
Source: Meath Public Participation Network Communication
Find a route through our Neighbourhood
100 Miles
The Mater Foundation 100 Miles in February kicks off today so give a socially distant wave of support to those running through our streets raising funds.
Johnstown FC
Justin Flynn spoke with Meath Daily TV late last month about the Club and it's desire to have local facilities.
Keep Going
Level 5 Covid restrictions continue but at least this is a going to be a short month with Valentines Day to break it up.
Catch up on local goings on with nearly 50 headlines in our January Local News.
If you have News, Reviews or suggestions for Articles and Local Guides then we'd love to hear from you.
A wonderful trail is closer than you thought.
Playground and lit loop walk
We don't know what we have around us.
Give your free time a goal.