Council responds to Diary queries

Re Diary article (16 November) on road works at Kilcullen.

The works are not yet complete in that road markings have yet to be laid down. So, we will respond later on the question of turning movements of vehicles at the crossroads.

You suggested display of plans for proposed works at local level. The council already gives all the notices required by law in advance of road works and other projects. We also frequently consult local communities and individual citizens in cases where advance notice is not required. It would be true to say that not all of the details of the works proposed for Kilcullen were published and on display in the town, but it was known locally that we were reviewing access issues and that this would be likely to result in works on footpaths.

We answer to local communities and to individual citizens as well as several regulatory agencies for the work that we carry out. We do much more in this regard than any private sector organisation, and that's even before you take into account the extent to which our plans and works are the subject of reporting in the media.

It may well be that local communities would like to have even more advance information about what we do and what we plan, but there is another side to the issue. There would clearly have to be a limit below which publication of plans becomes an obstacle to getting the job done as distinct from "talking" about it.

Nonetheless we won't just dismiss the Diary's suggestion and we will look at it in the context of our future plans.

Charlie Talbot,
Kildare County Council