Retractable bollards sought for contentious Kildare road
Photo is for illustrative purposes only
A PROPOSAL for retractable bollards to be implemented at a location in Naas was recently rejected.
At the most recent meeting of Naas Municipal District, Cathaoirleach Seamie Moore brought the following motion forward on the meeting agenda: “Now that a garda report has supported a recommendation that ‘retractable bollards’ should be used on the Canal Road in the interests of the Health, Safety and the need for Alternative Access/Egress of the area with a local controller arrangement, that members and executives should agree to this change in the management system of that road.”
Cllr Evie Sammon seconded the motion, with Cllr Bill Clear also supporting it.
Senior engineer for sustainable transport and traffic management at the council Donal Hodgins had a negative response.
A report issued by him in response said that it would be “costly and impractical” to provide retractable bollards at the location along the canal towpath which connects Naas to Sallins.
The report continued: “Therefore, their provision is not recommended as the bollard locations are in a remote environment and would require a permanent power supply, public lighting sources and surveillance to ensure they were operating properly.”
The report noted the vandalisation of the existing bollards, which are there to “provide a safe environment for vulnerable road users”.
It further detailed that alternative, non-mechanised bollards are being considered for installation along the route.
Returning to the topic of the retractable bollards, the report detailed that they “tend to be located in urban areas. Problems encountered with them include mechanical/ electrical failure, corrosion, freezing, hydraulic issues when located near water sources. Regular maintenance is needed with the bollards requiring cleaning, lubrication and the sealing of the equipment to prevent water ingress. The cost of maintenance is high as the technology is expensive and requires constant attention to ensure optimum operation.”
Cllr Sammon disputed the point about the cost, saying that a similar system to the proposed retractable bollard system is in place at a local ETB school without great expense.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Hodgins said that his report was not a “no” to retractable bollards in general, making the point that there are problems when water gets into them. Mr Hodgins also encouraged the public not to interfere with the bollards, noting the danger that results from such interference.
Countering Mr Hodgins’s point on the water issue, cllr Sammon gave the example of a retractable gate at a location near the River Liffey in Ballymore Eustace, citing it as a working example that is also near water and is within the Municipal District.
