Final submissions for Athy Distributor Road with real fears for future of 135 year old rugby club

Today is the final day submissions can be lodged on the route options being considered for the Athy Southern Distributor Road. The road, first suggested forty years ago, is being constructed to help alleviate chronic traffic congestion out of the town. There are now major fears that the Distributor Road will run through the Athy Rugby Club pitch which has 500 under-age members. SF Cllr Thomas Redmond said: "I played rugby there myself, there is a possibility that the road will go through the pitches." There are three routes being suggested. The first one,  known as route C it would cross the Dublin to Waterford rail line over a new bridge near the existing Aughaboura Bridge and would cross the River Barrow at a new span bridge near the existing railway bridge. The second route, known as route C1 would cut directly through the Gaelic, soccer and rugby pitches in the area, which is what is bringing objections from people involved within the club. A third route, known as route A would be on the northern side of the town. Kildare County Council held a public information session on the routes being considered in late November. Submissions may be made, in writing, to KCC's Roads Dept, at Aras Cill Dara, until close of business today.