Call for new M9 exit for Kildare town

A proposal aimed at easing traffic pressure in Kilcullen was recently rebuffed. Kildare County Council officials told councillors at a recent meeting that no funding has been allocated for an exit ramp before Kilcullen to serve Newbridge.

This emerged at the most recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, where cllr Tracey O’Dwyer proposed that Kildare County Council asks Transport Infrastructure Ireland “for an exit ramp off the M9/ M7 motorway before Kilcullen to be listed for assessment to service Newbridge directly”.

Due to the lack of an exit ramp, Kilcullen experiences a higher volume of traffic coming from the south-east towards Newbridge.

Cllr O’Dwyer’s Fine Gael colleague cllr Peggy O’Dwyer seconded the motion.

Senior engineer in the national roads office Marie Whelan issued the council’s response, which said that Newbridge already has motorway access through Junction 10 to the east of the town and Junction 12 to the west.

There is an existing County Development Plan objective to study improved movements at the M7 Junction 11/M9 Junction 1 interchange, however the location is not included in any national funding or infrastructure plans. The feasibility study for the M9/M7 (junction 11) was not listed for funding in the recent national development plan review which listed projects to be funded by 2030.

Speaking at the meeting, cllr O’Dwyer noted that she first brought a motion regarding this matter in 2021. She stated that “the need is there” for the exit ramp and is “only growing”, adding that she was not satisfied with the council’s response.

Cllr Chris Pender supported the motion but cautioned that he does not want Newbridge to become a “rat run” from the M7/N7. Cllr Kevin Duffy also expressed his support for the motion.

Senior executive officer in transport, mobility and open spaces Mark McLoughlin told the meeting that the matter will be raised with TII.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme