Transport plan for Newbridge, County Kildare gets public viewing

Kildare County Council (KCC) hosted a public meeting in Newbridge Town Hall on Thursday, July 25 last, which related to the Area Based Transport Assessment for the town.

The meeting ran from 3.30pm until 8.30pm, and was attended by a number of local residents.

Three engineers from KCC were in attendance to explain the plans, and they also listened to feedback from locals.

One engineer, Paul Kinsella, told the Leinster Leader that KCC aims to progress the cycle lanes project on the Main Street, subject to funding from the National Transport Authority.

Mr Kinsella added that he was open to the possibility of a bus corridor for Newbridge.

When asked about a recurring theme he noticed cropping up among the locals, Mr Kinsella replied that the topic of planned second bridge was a popular one on the day.

The latest meeting was also attended by a number of public representatives.

Commenting on the meeting, Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District and Fine Gael councillor Peggy O'Dwyer said: "It has been helpful; there a lot of elements here, so it will take a bit of time for people to understand [the full scale of the plans]."

She also expressed optimism at the number of submissions and feedback being given by local residents to KCC.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said: "It takes a while to tune into it. Although the direction of traffic is not included on the presentations, it will be considered."

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He added: "KCC are listening today: they are modern people, they are not dogmatic."

"It has been very constructive today; it hasn't just been a whinge-fest!" Cllr Heavey joked.

Cllr Heavey concluded by saying: "It has been an impressive day for Newbridge, as far as I'm concerned."

Another public representative in attendance was Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin.

She told the Leader: "The plans are a little hard to follow, if you don't have an engineering background."

Senator O'Loughlin added that she would have liked to have seen a slideshow presentation from KCC on the matter.

When asked what reoccurring theme she kept hearing from locals, she replied: "The cycle lanes. Although a lot of people will still need to use their cars; it's about finding a balance."