Concerns over two junctions located in Newbridge relayed to Kildare County Council

The official crest of Kildare County Council.

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Local councillors raised concerns over two separate junctions in Newbridge.

The concerns were highlighted at the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which was held on Wednesday, March 15.

Fine Gael councillor Peggy O’Dwyer proposed the following motion at the meeting: "That the council install a green filter light as part of the traffic light signaling system at Moorefield Junction and the Morristown Junction, Newbridge."

Her motion was supported by Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender, who said that he has received a number of emails from locals regarding the Morristown Junction.

In its report at the meeting, Kildare County Council (KCC) noted that there is a right-hand filter arrow and lane provided on the Northern and Western approach to this junction.

However, KCC said that 'there is not sufficient road width to provide filter lanes with green filter arrows on the Southern and Eastern approaches.'

Commenting on the Moorefield junction, KCC said that a right hand filter arrow is provided on the R445 (Curragh) approach. KCC added: "It may be possible to provide a filter lane/arrow on the R445 (Town Centre) approach.

Cllr Peggy O' Dwyer proposed the motion

"The Green Road and Morristown approaches operate as separate traffic phases and there is no requirement for filter arrows for these approaches."

KCC further said that the facilities at the junction shall be reviewed as part of any future Active Travel Scheme in the area.

After hearing KCC’s report, Cllr O’ Dwyer emphasised that the installation of the filter light was of the utmost importance, citing the need to protect the safety of locals in the area.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said to KCC: "As the population of Newbridge increasing, there is a need for locals to understand (KCC’s) plan before it happens," and made reference to the controversy which surrounded the implementation of cycle lanes in Newbridge in late 2021.

He added: "We need to get the information out to people."