This busy Kildare street junction will not reopen to traffic

A busy street junction in Naas will not be reopened.

Kildare County Council has come out against reopening the junction where Abbey Street meets Basin Street in Naas.

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Cllr Fintan Brett requested that KCC allow one way access for residents living along the canal to their homes when Moat Lane is blocked by delivery trucks.

Cllr Brett said the problem arises when commercial vehicles make deliveries to Moat Lane.

He said it might not be possible for an ambulance to reach where the residents live if the route is blocked.

“If an ambulance can’t get in we, the councillors and the council will be blamed,” he told a Naas Municipal District committee meeting.

In a report, KCC engineer Donal Hodgins said the junction closure was the subject of a public consultation process.

He added the closure has significantly improved safety “for vulnerable road users at this location” and this is, in accordance with the “road user hierarchy” created by the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority.

Mr Hodgins pointed out it is an offence to obstruct traffic on a public road.

“Any evidence that this does occur should be provided to An Garda Síochána.”

He also said there are designated loading bays close to this location and “should additional facilities be required, then these can be considered as part of any review of the parking bye-laws."

This, he added, is a decision for the councillors.