Kildare Chamber of Commerce

Submission in Relation to Traffic Management Scheme

WSP
Merchant’s House
27-30 Merchant’s Quay
Dublin 8

Ref: Part VIII Traffic Management Scheme – Kildare Town (April 2008)

Dear Sirs,

In the main there are many worthwhile aspects to the proposed New Traffic Management Scheme for Kildare Town. To be as constructive as possible we have focused comments on 1) Positives 2) Negatives & 3) Proposed Amendments

1) Positives

WSP plan supports the enlargement of the pedestrian zone in the Market Square

Pedestrian safety measures have been improved at all junctions in the Town centre

Improved junction layout at Meadow Rd/Tully Rd

Improved junction layout at Dunmurray Rd/Bothairin Na gCorp

Introduction of cycle lanes from major residential areas

Improved safety measures at Pigeon Lane/Green Rd Junction

New gateway feature on old Cork Rd

Streets & roads being upgraded to incorporate improved pedestrian facilities

Additional bus set-down area and pelican crossing at CYMS

2) Negatives

Two signal junctions in close proximity in town centre

Parking at St. Brigid’s Square has been compromised

Cycle lanes fall short of connecting with the town centre and current location of schools

Cycle lanes have not been considered on the approach roads from the south of Kildare town

The ambitious nature of the plan indicates a high level of investment, including a number of CPO’s, which in the current climate is bound to affect delivery in the short term

The plan fails to adequately address local concerns regarding access to the railway station

The is no reference to the almost complete link road between Rathbride Rd and Dunmurray Rd and to the current bottleneck at both railway bridges servicing both roadways.

3) Proposed Amendments

Maximise parking facilities at St. Brigid’s Square to facility church congregation and CYMS patrons

Remove pedestrian crossing arm on the Bothairin Na gCrop junction with Green Rd/Fire Castle Rd

We fail to see how the proposed widening of Station Rd will improve traffic movements in the area, however if incorporated into the new plan it should be with the proviso to re-instate the existing stone way and planting of new trees

The opportunity to upgrade the street lighting in the town centre to Heritage style lamp posts should be availed of if and when the proposed works are undertaken.

Final Note:
The South Green area to the north of the railway line on the Dunmurray Rd is to become a large centre for future residential development, incorporating a primary school and a second level community school. A detailed plan identifying how vehicle and pedestrian flow to and from this area is to be managed should form a major part of any new traffic management plan for Kildare Town, yet there is no reference to this area in the draft and thus in our opinion renders the draft incomplete.

Kildare Chamber of Commerce
26/08/2008

C.C. Kildare County Council