Presence of HGVs on road slammed by Kildare councillors

The presence of Heavy-Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on a road in the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) has been criticised by councillors.

At the latest MD meeting, which was held on Wednesday, February 15, Kildare County Council (KCC) was urged by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O’ Dwyer to contact businesses in the distribution/manufacturing sites in the vicinity of the R445 in Newbridge.

She asked KCC in a motion to request that HGV drivers use the new routes to access the R445, thus avoiding the Great Connell residential area.

Cllr O’ Dwyer said that the HGVs were not suitable for the road, and wanted KCC to explore erecting signage on the road in order to divert HGVs from the area.

She also reminded KCC of the aftermath of an illegal encampment which, up until recently, was spotted in the area.

Her sentiments were echoed by Cllr Tracey O’ Dwyer, who said: "(The issue) is so blatant, there seems to be a total disregard for regional roads; the ones that we fight so hard to get resurfaced."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said he agreed with her statement, while Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey asked KCC to liase with Google to inform them about the situation regarding the roads.

His comments are reminiscent of a motion put forward to Kildare County Council (KCC) by Fine Gael Brendan Wyse, who urged the council to install weight restriction signs at junctions relating to two roads in North Kildare at the latest Clane-Maynooth MD meeting.

In response to the local representatives concerns, a member of KCC told them that while it ultimately came down to ‘an issue of regulation’, they would pass on their concerns to the relevant bodies.

KCC also said in its report at the meeting: "The new route has not been taken in charge, however, when the taking in charge process is completed, appropriate signage will be considered."