Transport authority refuse meeting over controversial Kildare cycle path
A section of the cycle path on the R448 Photo: Aisling Hyland
TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has refused to meet with the local elected representatives to discuss the controversial Moone-Timolin cycle path following a damning recent report.
The councillors requested the meeting with TII at the most recent meeting in February after cllr Aoife Breslin brought forward an emergency motion. It was indicated by the Kildare County Council executive at the meeting that works to address issues on the Moone-Timolin road would be carried out in March.
The contacted the council recently seeking an update on the matter about these workds. A spokesperson responded: “The implementation of the audit recommendations are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). They have accepted the audit findings and are preparing a plan with the consultant for implementation.”
The spokesperson also said that the elected members were considering a response from TII about the suggested meeting before adding that the council “will continue to engage with the Elected Members and local residents as required”.
Cllr Breslin subsequently told the that they will meet with council management but that they refused to meet with her and the other four elected members of the MD.
There was no justification given for the refusal, according to cllr Breslin.
TII did not respond to a request for comment from the .
The Labour Party councillor added that TII intends to hold another meeting with residents as well holding further workshops.
Cllr Breslin added that in her view, TII are “only making the situation worse” by refusing to meet with the elected members.
The Athy Municipal held its March meeting on Monday where the issue was expected to be raised again.
The issue of cycle lanes has also come under the microscope around the county, with councillors agreeing to write to the National Transport Authority requesting a full review of the active travel design specifications for adjoining footpath and cycle lanes.
At the most recent full meeting of Kildare County Council, cllr Tim Durkan requested that the council write the letter “given the recent accidents across the county including Mill Street Maynooth, Louisa Bridge Leixlip, Naas, Kilcullen Road and Newbridge.”
A report issued by acting director of services for transport, mobility and open spaces at Kildare County Council Mark McLoughlin, stated the following with regards to the locations in Maynooth, Leixlip and Newbridge:
“The council has received no details of the alleged incidents on Mill Street, at Louisa Bridge and in Newbridge Town Centre. In the absence of an understanding of what has occurred, this must be considered isolated incidents, and it would be misleading to consider them to be directly correlated.”
With regards to the Kilcullen road, the report said: “The Kilcullen Road Active Travel Scheme has unique issues associated with the design of the scheme and enhancements to the scheme are being developed by the designers, in association with the council and the National Transport Authority.”
Cllr Durkan said that he accepted the report, but restated his wish that the letter be written. The elected members agreed to the writing of the letter.
