Park-and-Share sites being developed along M9 in Kildare
Cars parked near roundabout on R448 near Prumplestown Cross off junction 4. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A SOLUTION is being worked on for the parking situation at motorway junctions in south Kildare.
Currently, there are significant numbers of vehicles parked at the side of the roads in the morning as commuters carpool to work. Park and share sites – facilities where drivers can park their vehicle and then share a lift with other drivers – are currently being identified for the M9.
An update was received after Cllr Vera Louise Behan put forward the following question on the meeting agenda for the most recent meeting of Athy Municipal District which took place recently.
“Can the council confirm if there has been any progress/update on finding a solution to the parking situation at the municipal district’s motorway junctions at Prumplestown, Castledermot and Mullamast, Athy?” she asked.
A report issued in response to cllr Behan’s question by senior engineer in the national roads office Marie Whelan stated: “Kildare National Roads Office are currently working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to progress the identification of possible ‘Park and Share’ sites at three locations along the M9”.
The report that these junctions are Junction 3 at Moone and Junction 4 at Prumplestown which is just to the south-west of Castledermot, as well as Rathcrogue near Tinryland in Co Carlow.
Junction 3 is referred to as the Mullamast junction as well due to its proximity to the townland.
The report went on to say that preparation of the feasibility and option reports for the provision of the park and share facilities has commenced for the Moone and Prumplestown junctions.
It was further detailed that as part of this discussions will be required with owners of the private lands near the junctions, with these discussions proposed to begin in the first quarter of this year.
Mr Whelan’s report added that the feasibility and options report for a park and share facility at Rathcrogue “is complete and will be submitted to TII shortly”.
Mr Whelan explained that the Rathcrogue junction was progressed before the two in south Kildare as the site at the junction “is already in public ownership”.
