No further progress on Newbridge relief road

No further updates have been delivered on the planning of the Newbridge Southern Relief Road, which is planned to calm down traffic in the town.

Cllr Noel Heavey brought the motion to the council asking for an update on the completion/submission of a business plan for the road.

Senior Engineer, Daragh Conlan, replied: “There has been no update since the previous motion on the subject."

Cllr Heavey replied: "I am very concerned about the lack of progress here. You don’t need me to go on about the traffic. Newbridge is sometimes a very, very difficult place. The Southern Relief Road would be a big help, but it’s been some years since this development got planning. The clock is ticking."

Concerning the development of a business plan for the road, he said: “I need to understand why it hasn’t been developed. Why has there been a block?” 

Cllr Chris Pender added: “I would hope An Bord Pleanála sees a bit of sense. This is something we would like to see moving forward.” 

In the same vein, cllr Peggy O’Dwyer added: “I think we’re all very anxious to get this done.” 

Cllr Tom McDonnell called the project delay a “serious problem”. He turned to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael reps and said: “There’s no money for anything. Why aren’t you lobbying for anything? You’re not lobbying to government.” 

Bringing the motion back into focus, Mr Conlan added: “We are in the process of doing it – we have never been closer than we are now. I’m putting pressure on my client to get the business plan done.” 

“It is what it is,” concluded cllr Heavey.