Contentious Kildare junction to remain closed to cars
The Basin Street junction in Naas
A CALL to withdraw the contentious closure of the junction between Abbey Street and Basin Street in Naas was denied on the basis that no complaints were made to Kildare County Council officially.
At a recent month’s meeting of the Naas Municipal District, cathaoirleach Seamie Moore tabled a motion highlighting what he described as “serious safety concerns” for residents, businesses, and services in the Harbour View and Basin Street area.
Cllr Moore said the Section 38 closure, which has turned the area into a “300-metre cul-de-sac,” leaves it vulnerable in the event of an accident or deliberate obstruction at the only vehicle entrance from Main Street.
He warned that such a situation could isolate residents and prevent emergency services, including fire brigade, ambulance, gardaí, medical and prison staff, from accessing the area.
Cllr Moore urged the council to reopen the Abbey Street link “until new developments following from the future adoption of the Master Plan for the Harbour Quarter are commenced.”
However, in a written response, senior engineer for sustainable transport and traffic management, Donal Hodgins, said that a review of the council’s customer relations management system found “no complaints or correspondence” had been received in the past 12 months regarding the closure.
Mr Hodgins said the closure is “now well established” and has strengthened the provision of pedestrian-friendly facilities in Naas town centre in line with both Government and local policies.
He added that all business and residential properties in the area continue to have vehicular access, along with “a number of route options for active travel modes.”
Cllr Moore said that the reply was a “vexacious one".
“It’s a little bit disingenuous. It’s a very serious motion. I am not making up complaints,” he said.
Cllr Moore continued that the pedestrianisation of the road has turned properties there into “fire traps” due to the use of one “narrow” street.
Other councillors supported the motion with cllr Evie Sammon saying that she has herself seen complaints about the closure and cllr Carmel Kelly echoing residents concerns of being “isolated” and having trouble accessing their homes.
Mr Hodgins confirmed that there has been no official correspondence directly about the closure and denounced cllr Moore’s reaction to the report.
He said: “Some of the language used insinuates that people are being dishonest. We are public servants, we work honestly, and we would refute this.”
Mr Hodgins further explained the rationale behind the junction closure, citing a road traffic accident involving a child there.
He continued that the idea behind closing the junction comes from a want for safety, and argued that, while it may be more inconvenient that it is closed, it is ultimately safer.
Cllr Moore replied that there is “no personal vindictiveness towards the team", but stayed firm in his belief that the road junction should be opened to vehicles.
