There are 226 parking bays at the Park and Share facility beside the M1 motorway near Dundalk
Kildare County Council has confirmed that work is underway to identify potential “Park and Share” sites at key junctions along the M9 motorway in South Kildare.
The council’s National Roads Office is progressing plans for facilities at Junction 3 (Moone, Co Kildare), Junction 4 (Prumpelstown, Co Kildare) and Junction 5 (Rathcrogue, Co Carlow).
The issue was raised at the Athy Municipal District meeting by Councillor Veralouise Behan who asked for a progress update on the initiative.
Park and Share sites allow drivers to park their vehicles and continue their journey by sharing a lift with other private motorists, helping to reduce traffic volumes and lower carbon emissions.
The first Park and Share site in the country off the M1 motorway near Dundalk has 226 parking spaces along with EV charging, flood lighting, CCTV cameras, a turnaround area to facilitate pick up and drop offs and pedestrian footpaths.
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According to the council, preparation of Feasibility and Options Reports has commenced for Junctions 3 and 4 in Co Kildare. However, suitable sites must first be identified before the reports can be completed.
As the lands surrounding both junctions are in private ownership, discussions with landowners will be required. The council has indicated that these discussions are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, the Feasibility and Options Report for a proposed Park and Share facility at Junction 5, Rathcrogue, Co Carlow, has been completed and will be submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland shortly.
That site was progressed ahead of the two Kildare locations as the land identified at Junction 5 is already in public ownership, allowing the process to move forward more quickly.
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