Vote delay adding tension to controversial Naas Relief Road project

Kildare Co Council has denied claims by a residents' group that a delay in the vote on the Naas Inner Relief Road was a ploy to exert more pressure on councillors.

The Naas Municipal District members will now decide on the proposed project on May 14 - a month later than scheduled.

However the Council said the extra time is to allow officials to process the public submissions into a report for councillors.

Combined Estate Action Group spokesperson Christine O'Sullivan asked: "Does this provide more time to generate pressure of the serving Councillors, or is it just a coincidence that the matters addressed in the submissions did not support an easy quick reply?

"Or was it simply as indicated last month that the Council would allow extra time if the Councillors wanted it - the Councillors were ready so why defer now?"

The Group believes that a narrow majority of councillors will vote against the Inner Relief Road.

Ms O'Sullivan added: "We are so grateful to the five councillors, namely and in no particular order, Cllr Carmel Kelly, Cllr Seamie Moore, Cllr Darren Scully, Cllr Sorcha O’Neill and Cllr Anne Breen who are supporting us.

"They are truly representing us and we look forward to the local elections to thank them.

The Council also insisted that if the project is approved, the Inner Relief Road will be constructed within 24 months, providing better access to schools, employment, hospital, town centre shopping, cycle lanes, 2m wide footpaths and will reduce traffic congestion.

A Council spokesperson said that general feedback received by the Council pointed to "overwhelming support from the majority of 8,500 households in the Naas environs" for the project.

"In the last 12 months at Naas Municipal District meetings, traffic congestion and a solution to Naas traffic problems was muted at almost every single meeting by Naas councillors.

"Now is their chance to provide the 21,000 residents (that approve of the Inner relief road) with the relief that have been waiting on for the past 4 years."

The Council also claimed that residents in new estates should have been aware of plans for the Relief Road when they bought their houses.

Officials also claimed that €10m funding earmarked for the project will be returned to the Government if not used.