New N7 Park & Ride facility in Kildare under consideration

NAAS councillors has agreed to write to the National Transport Authority (NTA) following discussions on the much-needed park and ride facility at Johnstown.

A proposal to examine the feasibility of developing a Park and Ride facility on lands north of Johnstown Village was brought forward by cllr Fintan Brett at a recent meeting.

The motion called on the council to explore the potential for such a facility on lands situated between the Johnstown–Kill Slip Road and the N7, part of which are in council ownership.

In response, a report from Daragh Hodgins, Senior Engineer with the Sustainable Transport and Traffic Management section, confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the responsible body for providing strategic park and ride facilities within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), in line with the GDA Transport Strategy.

The report noted that the N7 has been identified as a key transport corridor and that the NTA is currently considering a location close to Kill Village for such a development.

“When further details are available, the sustainable transport section will share these with the elected members,” Mr Hodgins stated.

Cllr Brett said: “How long are we waiting for something to happen here? 

"We’re talking about this 10 years. Why isn’t it being delivered? Why isn’t it happening? It’s not rocket science."

The councillor brought attention to recent road accidents on the N7 and the impact it had on Johnstown and Kill as motorists filtered through to avert themselves from long wait times in traffic – using it as an example of the growing need for the facility.

It was agreed that the Municipal District writes to the NTA to get an update on the project.