Traffic lights changing too quickly for pedestrians in Kildare town, local reps claim
This photo is for illustrative purposes only
UNSUITABLE traffic signal timings in Newbridge were highlighted at a recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, where a councillor called for a comprehensive review of traffic signal operations at key junctions with the view to improve safety and traffic flow.
Cllr Chris Pender requested that the local authority examine traffic signal timings and sequencing at St Conleth’s Bridge and other signalised junctions throughout the district.
The motion called on the council to assess whether pedestrian crossing times are sufficient and safely phased for all users, as well as to analyse vehicle signal timings, peak-time performance, queue lengths, congestion levels and overall traffic flow impacts.
It also asks that councillors be provided with current timing plans and the underlying traffic and pedestrian data used to set them, including raw source data where available.
In the response, Senior Engineer Donal Hodgins said that all signal-controlled pedestrian crossings and junctions across County Kildare operate with built-in safety timings programmed into traffic controllers.
These timings are determined using parameters such as pedestrian crossing distances, distances between stop lines and junction clearance requirements, and are assessed in line with industry standards and technical guidance.
The report also noted that traffic signals in Newbridge are managed by an Urban Traffic Control system known as SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique). The town is divided into several regions within the system, which coordinates junctions to maximise efficiency and reduce journey times.
According to the engineer, the system relies on detectors positioned throughout the network that send data to a cloud-based server.
The system then models traffic conditions in real time and adjusts signal timings accordingly to optimise traffic movement.
However, cllr Pender was not satisfied with the response.
He said: “I’m glad to get an extensive report that doesn’t acknowledge what my motion wanted to do.”
He continued: “People with disabilities don’t have enough time to cross at the lights. They are getting halfway across the road before the red man comes on. There’s a situation where some cars are being let through more on one side.
“I’m a little bit annoyed that I haven’t been given the data I was looking for. I want the data to see if we are making our towns accessible.”
Cllr Tom McDonnell showed support for the motion, calling the area a “bottleneck,” and said: “you could fly to London by the time you got to Newbridge.”
Both cllrs Peggy O’Dwyer and Noel Heavey also showed support for the motion, with cllr Heavey adding that the area is “probably one of the most difficult places in Leinster.”
A council representative offered a “little ray of light” to the situation, telling councillors that a pelican crossing will be coming to the area as part of the Safe Routes to School Programme, which they suspect will greatly improve the situation.
Cllr Pender welcomed the news of the pelican crossing, but still asked for the traffic light timings, highlighting specific points of concern in the town where pedestrians are unable to cross the road in time, with a view to improving safety and accessibility at crossings in Newbridge.
