Cycling, walking trails, in KCA's Action Plan

The importance of cycling routes and walking trails around Kilcullen was raised at a recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

This was in the context of extending the use of 'fitness' routes in the area, against the background of a much increased population in the town over the last decade or so.

The meeting heard that the routes will need to be properly way-marked on public roads, and it was decided to work with the relevant authorities and agencies to achieve this.

Establishing such facilities has been included in an Action Plan by KCA, the umbrella group for Tidy Towns and other community initiatives.

Other elements in the Plan include the provision of a 'bandstand' type structure in the Convent Garden, which was recently landscaped as a relaxing park area. The idea is a 'simple structure' which would both provide an ornamental focus point and also provide shelter from changeable weather for people visiting the garden.

Under the Environmental category in the Plan, KCA will encourage local people to install and use rainwater harvesters, and will also encourage the use of communal composting facilities already in place on Nicholastown Green.

A project manager is to be appointed to identify areas where the town can benefit from renewable energy, and work with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in developing de-centralised energy supply.

KCA is also working with Kildare County Council on the need to provide extra safe footpaths in the area, including from the town to the Link Business Park, to the Graveyard, and to Cnoc na Greine estate.

New town name signs are also to be purchased for the approach roads. The organisation envisages acquiring one new sign a year until all the roads have them.

With a view to the continuation of Tidy Town activities into the future, KCA is to explore the setting up of a Youth Tidy Towns group. In particular this will target Transition Year students in CPC and the pupils of the town's primary schools. This will be achieved by increased communications programmes with the schools.

In the matter of visual impact, KCA is to work with Kildare County Council to have the electrical cable systems on Main Street put underground.