No upgrades for Athy street as funding stalls

KILDARE County Council has confirmed that road resurfacing and footpath improvements on Duke Street in Athy will remain on hold due to a lack of funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

The update came in response to motions tabled by cllrs Aoife Breslin and Brian Dooley, who requested clarity on the status of the works along the busy Athy road.

Cllr Dooley emphasised the need to put “pressure” on TII to deliver upgrades to the area.

“The footpaths are in bad need of some TLC,” he said.

“Great minds think alike,” said cllr Aoife Breslin, who reflected on Athy’s recent successes, such as the regeneration of Emily Square, complete with the opening of the Shackleton museum.

“Duke Street is letting us down. This is a piece of work that needs to be completed.” In a statement issued by Mr Daragh Conlan, Acting Senior Engineer with the council’s Projects Team, officials said that no funding has been provided by TII to date to progress either the resurfacing or footpath upgrades.

“Kildare County Council will continue to engage with TII to secure funding to allow these works to be completed,” the report noted.