A CALL for urgent safety measures at a “mud bath” bus stop at Toughers on the Naas-Newbridge back road has sparked debate as the council awaits consultation on long-term upgrades.
Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer urged the local authority at a recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District to consider interim health and safety measures at the stop while permanent infrastructure is awaited. The stop, located on a grass surface at Toughers, has raised concerns due to the lack of safe waiting conditions for passengers.
However, in a written report, senior engineer Donal Hodgins said a design has already been prepared for a new signalised pedestrian crossing and upgraded bus stop facilities at the location. A public consultation on the proposed works is expected to begin within the next four to six weeks.
He cautioned that carrying out interim works before the consultation concludes could suggest bias in the planning process and lead to unnecessary duplicate spending. He also noted that funding for the project has not yet been secured.
Cllr O’Dwyer noted that the “job was only half done” in relation to the Tougher bus stops, in that one side has a bus shelter and appropriate land area, while the bus stop other side could be described as a “mud bath” with no appropriate area for people exiting the bus.
Cllr Chris Pender added that something needs to be done in the short term for bus users.
“A bit of light and a concrete path to step onto instead of a muddy puddle,” he said.
Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer suggested creating a bus stop which manages both pick-ups and drop-offs on the same side to remedy the situation.
Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer agreed with the suggestion to use the more developed side of the road for a kind of “depot”, or a “one stop shop,” as one council official put it.
Local reps also opposed the idea of the addition of a pedestrian crossing there, as pedestrians would have to navigate crossing over four lanes of traffic which could prove to be dangerous in practice.
The council will now await the outcome of the consultation before deciding on the next steps for improving safety at the stop.
