Clarity needed on second bridge for Newbridge, Kildare – Cllr

Progress on a second bridge for Newbridge is welcome, but clarity is now essential to avoid delay and waste, according to Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender.

The recent approval of €200,000 to advance design and prepare construction documents has been broadly welcomed across the Kildare town.

Cllr Pender said the funding is not excessive in itself, but warned that how it is used will determine whether it delivers real progress or repeats work already completed.

“There is already an active and approved planning permission associated with this bridge. Under Irish planning law, permission runs with the land, not the original developer. That fact cannot be ignored,” he said.

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Cllr Pender said the central issue is whether the council intends to reuse the existing permission and move directly toward construction readiness, or whether the project risks being pushed back into redesign and a fresh planning process.

“If this funding is used to adapt an already approved scheme to public infrastructure standards and bring it to tender stage, that is sensible and responsible. If it results in starting again, triggering new planning requirements, then people are right to question whether time and public money are being wasted.”

He added that Newbridge cannot afford further delay.

“Residents experience daily congestion. Emergency access across the Liffey is constrained. The town has grown rapidly, but the infrastructure has not kept pace. A second bridge is not optional, it is overdue.”

Cllr Pender said the council now needs to provide clear answers on whether the existing planning permission remains valid, whether the land tied to it will be acquired or controlled by the local authority, and whether this funding will avoid a new planning process rather than create one.

“Announcements are welcome, but delivery is what matters. This funding must move the project forward to construction, not sideways into duplication,” he said.