KCC to submit funding application for safety works to notorious Kildare accident spot
The news that works may be carried out at Dag Weld's Cross has been welcomed by Social Democrats TD, Aidan Farrelly
Kildare TD Aidan Farrelly has welcomed news that Kildare County Council intends to submit an application for funding to improve the safety at Dag Weld's Cross, Blackwood, Co Kildare.
The Social Democrats TD was told by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney, that in a safety analysis of the road network over the last number of years the Department of Transport has identified Dag Weld's Cross as a dangerous location.
On that basis, the Minister explained, Kildare County Council could apply for funding under the Department’s Specific Improvement Grant for proposed safety schemes.
“The Minister has confirmed that his Department is expecting an application for funding from Kildare County Council,” Deputy Farrelly said.
"I was delighted to speak directly with him about Dag Weld's cross, raising the importance of getting something done here once and for all.
“Both Cllr Paula Mulroe and I have continued to raise this issue at every opportunity, and look forward to seeing the Council successfully drawing down funding to do works at this site."
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Cllr Paula Mulroe also welcomed the news, adding that “the volume of traffic at the junction has grown as the populations of villages such as Coill Dubh, Robertstown, Allenwood and Derrinturn have exploded over the past 25 years.
“Our road network needs to be fit for purpose to meet the demands of that additional population, and it’s clear that for some time Dag Weld's Cross is not up to the standard needed.”
In correspondence with Deputy Farrelly, Minister Canney revealed that Dag Weld's Cross is one of only several places along the R403 road (from Lucan to Carbury) that were identified as dangerous spots.
He said that the Network Safety Analysis identifies Locations of Interest which are issued to Local Authorities on an annual basis for consideration as part of the application process for funding under the Regional and Local Roads Grants.