Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District round-up

Bus stop requested for Newbridge Train Station

Kildare County Council is to write to Transport for Ireland (TFI) to request a bus stop at Newbridge Train Station.

The move follows a motion raised by Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (FG) at a recent Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting.

In its report, the council explained that selecting the locations for bus stops is a matter for the bus operator and Transport for Ireland (TFI)/National Transport Authority (NTA).

In the case of Newbridge Train Station, this will also include Irish Rail as a stakeholder.

The report concluded: “If the members of this Municipal District agree, Kildare County Council can write to TFI to request a stop to be located at this important origin/destination.”

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Council to investigate suitability for disabled car parking spaces in Monasterevin

A Fine Gael councillor has called on the local authority to line mark two disabled car parking spaces to the front of St Envin's Park, Monasterevin “to support vulnerable residents in the area.”

Cllr Kevin Duffy tabled his motion at a recent MD meeting.

The council, in its report ruled that “It would not be common practice to delineate parking spaces in residential developments.”

However, the council confirmed that the Transport Department “will investigate the suitability and appropriateness of the location with a view to consideration in accordance with Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.”

Cllr calls for comprehensive review of road safety along busy Monasterevin road

A Social Democrats councillor called on the council to carry out a comprehensive review of road safety along Cowpasture Road, Monasterevin including an assessment of speeding concerns.

Cllr Pat Balfe's motion further called on the local authority to bring forward recommendations for necessary traffic calming measures and to enhance pedestrian safety.

The council's response stated that requests for traffic calming “require a technical assessment.”

As such, the report continued, the Cllr Balfe's request would be added to an assessment list, however “it should be noted the list is lengthy with limited budget availability.”

Driver visibility to be improved at junction of Rathangan Road and Barraderra Road

Kildare County Council is to take steps to improve driver visibility at the junction of the R414 (Rathangan Road) and L3009 (Barraderra Road) following representations from a local councillor.

The Municipal District Office (Kildare-Newbridge) has also agreed to include the location for consideration as a low-cost accident scheme, the council confirmed.

This would require the co-operation of the landowner as land take was involved.

Cllr Pat Balfe (SD) raised the motion at a meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District held on Wednesday February 19 2025.

Plans underway for Monasterevin Safe Routes to School programme

Plans are progressing for the Monasterevin Safe Routes to School programme, Kildare County Council has confirmed.

Confirmation came following a motion tabled by Cllr Pat Balfe (SD), who asked the local authority to provide details of the expected completion date for the programme.

A report issued by the council stated: “The scheme is at the Option Selection Stage. Kildare County Council has received draft drawings for the scheme and is meeting with the consultant to prepare a submission to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress to the Preliminary Design Stage.”

The council further stated that following this stage, a public consultation process will be held.

As the timescales depend on NTA approval, however, it was not possible to provide an accurate date at present.

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Taking in charge of Monasterevin estate will be progressed “in due course.”

A taking in charge request for Abbeygate Housing Estate in Monasterevin will be progressed “in due course”, the local authority has stated.

This is due to the fact, the council explained, that a taking in charge request for Abbeygate was received in March 2021, while the council was currently prioritising requests dating up to and including 2021.

A council report confirmed: “The Development Control legacy team are actively working to progress estates with taking in charge requests dating up to and including 2021 as a priority.

“Estates with a taking in charge request received after 2021 will be progressed in due course.”

A motion requesting information on the taking in charge of Abbeygate was raised by Cllr Pat Balfe (SD) at a recent MD meeting.