No research carried out into the impact of this busy Kildare bypass

Kildare County Council has admitted that it has conducted no research into the impact of the opening of the Sallins Bypass on traffic volumes in Clane.

Council officials made the admission to Social Democrats county councillor Paula Mulroe at a meeting of the Clane Maynooth Municipal District last Friday (July 4.)

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Clane locals have long been concerned that while the aim of the Sallins bypass was to direct traffic away from Sallins itself, it would also be attractive to drivers from Clane and further north of the county who wanted to access the M7 and M9 motorways.

And there was a concern that it offered an easier option to drivers of lorries and HGVs who wanted to travel between the N4/N6 and N7/N9 motorways – via Kilcock or Maynooth and Clane, without having to go as far as the M50.

“My response is one of concern and incredulity that the bypass has been open since November 2019 and yet there is no data on the impact to surrounding towns and villages,” Cllr Mulroe said.

“Motions are brought before the council every month about traffic congestion and unsustainable development in Clane and Prosperous, and yet there is no data being gathered to better understand and plan for the growth in traffic volumes and the impact of infrastructure like the Sallins Bypass.

“It makes me wonder how Kildare County Council can seriously plan for the traffic that will be generated by the expected increase in population in the coming decades.

“Six years is too long to be without relevant data and research into the impact of this road, especially when you consider that in those six years the areas most affected by the road have seen a huge population increase.”

Social Democrat’s TD for Kildare North Aidan Farrelly echoed Cllr Mulroe’s concern.

“Every 30 years the population of Kildare doubles and we need to see a mindset change in the County Council to take a holistic look at the impact of future growth on traffic, public transport, schools, childcare and healthcare as well as utilities like electricity, water and sewage,” he said.

“It’s entirely possible that a child born today will see a half a million people or more living in Kildare in their lifetime. Research and planning for this should be an intense focus for the county council.”