A building formerly used by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in Navan, Co. Meath has been demolished after lying empty since 2007, to create a new link road.
The building, on the Kells road had been closed via a safety order, due to dampness. The DAFM offices have since been relocated to Kilcarn in Navan.
Construction of the new road will commence shortly and will be public, in the charge of Meath County Council.
The road, along with a bridge, will be used to divert traffic from the centre of the town, travelling to Kells and towards the M3 motorway travelling north to Co. Cavan, or south to Co. Dublin.
Construction of the road and bridge are expected to be delivered by the third quarter of 2025, according to Meath County Council.
The council said that land surrounding the road had previously been used for agricultural purposes, but it has been zoned for a “considerable time” for the delivery of the link road.
Link road
Navan Fianna Fáil councillor, Tommy Reilly said the road is “badly needed” and is something that locals have been asking about for many years.
“With people coming from the northern end of the town trying to pass through Navan, they have no choice but to go through the town, meaning there’s always much congestion. The new road will help ease that,” Cllr Reilly said.
“The road will expand along an existing park. When they new road is up and running, we should be able to use some of the rougher ground for a BMX track and a dog walking area, where people can let their dogs loose,” the councillor added.
“I’ve seen areas in other European cities where people can go and let their dogs loose in a completely enclosed area. We could do the same,” he said.