Kildare County Council waiting on National Transport Authority's approval for Celbridge Road upgrade

Kildare County Council (KCC) is still waiting on approval from the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the Celbridge Road upgrade project.

The project was discussed at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting held on Friday, October 6 last.

Fine Gael councillor Tim Durkan motioned for KCC 'to honour the commitment given to the members to put the Celbridge Road upgrade project out on public consultation during October.'

His motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil.

The council told Cllr Durkan that commitments given by the Executive to members for NTA funded projects 'are clearly dependent on NTA approval of the design proposals, in accordance with their Project Approval Guidelines.'

KCC also said: "Whilst the NTA remain supportive of the scheme, they have requested further investigations of design interventions for the options selection stage of the project.

"The council has been asked to progress a more cost-effective design and we are currently reviewing alternative designs.

"Once the NTA commit to funding an agreed design, a confirmed timeline for public consultation can be agreed with the members," KCC concluded.

Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan, who is also the Cathaoirleach of the MD, put forward the motion discussing the subject. 

In response, Cllr Durkan told KCC: "I was first elected to the council back in 2014, and this was one of my first motions."

"There is not alternative route; it’s a straight road. Rerouting won’t work, and human nature is the path of least resistance.

"I’m devastated that nine years later, there’s still no progress," he added.

Cllr Durkan further said that he receives daily messages from constituents about the matter, and also said that he knows of children in the area that have been 'clipped' by cars.

Green Party Hamilton also said that the project was 'probably the highest priority' for the MD, while Cllr Durkan added that 'it has it's design already.'

Furthermore, Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney echoed Cllr Durkan's safety concerns regarding children in the area.

Speaking directly to the members, Marian Higgins, Director of Services - Climate, Community, Environment & Water with KCC, said: "I understand the furstration, I am frustrated too... but we need the approval from the NTA first."

Responding to Cllr Durkan, she said: "We have the design and we do want to move it along.

"If we get approval from the NTA, the team in charge will be very committed to moving the project along."

Cllr Durkan replied to Ms Higgins: "I know it takes time, but nine years is nine years."