Kildare County Council urged to provide safer routes for school pupils in Newbridge

A councillor told Kildare County Council (KCC) that it must prioritise the creation of a safer route for school pupils in the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD).

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender made the comments while discussing a motion at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Wednesday, February 21 last.

He appeared at the meeting via video-call, and motioned for the following to KCC: "That this MD promotes sustainable urban mobility and permeability by prioritizing the creation of a safer route to schools by investigating the feasibility of a direct footpath into Liffey Linear Park, Newbridge at the site of the former entrance into the park (53.1791431870932, -6.792829665940632 on Google Maps), ensuring accessibility for all."

His motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer.

KCC issued the following response to Cllr Pender’s motion: "The creation of an entrance at this location would not be possible as some of the land is not in our ownership and there would be considerable engineering involved given the height differences and narrowness of the towpath."

Cllr Chris Pender of the Social Democrats. File image.

"Additionally, it would not be considered an accessible access given the height differences that have to be overcome," KCC added.

Cllr Pender replied that this response 'raises concerns about our Town Renewal Plan, and the feasibility of certain projects.'

He admitted that he was 'disappointed' by KCC’s response, and added: "I feel like it’s something to follow up with further (in the near future."

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey enquired about the exact location of the site, to which Cllr Pender told him: "It’s near Ryston Sports, at the dead-end footpath with the railings."

Cllr Heavey said that he would visit the site alongside Cllr Pender.

Simon Wallace, KCC’s Acting Senior Parks and Landscape Officer, also commented: "It (the proposed direct footpath) is not feasible at the moment, but that’s not to say it won’t be feasible in the future."

Cllr Pender responded: "I understand Simon’s point, and I do accept the report, but I just want to ask for the matter to be investigated further, for the sake of the future."