Brand-new footpath requested for this Kildare area

The provision of a brand-new footpath has been sought for the Ball Alley Cross region of Kildare town.

The request was made by Social Democrats councillor Pat Balfe at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, December 17 last.

The suggestion was brought up when Cllr Balfe motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) "to undertake to provide a new footpath along the road linking Ball Alley Cross Junction at the R414 to the Ballykelly Road L7049".

According to Cllr Balfe, this should be done "in the interests of road safety, improved pedestrian connectivity, and support for active travel in the area".

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Chris Pender.

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Another councillor who expressed support for the motion was Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy.

Cllr Duffy, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means, called Cllr Balfe's suggestion "an excellent idea".

In response to Cllr Balfe's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The MD Office will assess the feasibility of constructing a footpath at this location."

However, KCC also stresed to Cllr Balfe: "There are several constraints in the area such as restricted widths and drainage outfalls which will need to be considered as part of the assessment."

Speaking further on his motion, Cllr Balfe pointed out one "blind corner" in the area, which he referred to as being "a safety risk" to locals.

"A footpath would be significant here," he added. "I welcome the agreement to assess [the region] for feasibility."

Social Democrats Cllr Pat Balfe. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.