Kildare County Council should seek expressions of interest from landowners to advance a commitment to
finding alternative parking facilities for downtown Kilcullen,
writes Brian Byrne. That’s the view of
Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, speaking on her motion regarding this matter at the monthly
Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting.
Noting that the Council had committed to considering the issue within 12 months of adopting the Kilcullen Settlement Plan, she requested an update on the measures taken to progress this goal.
The official response to the motion was that parking by-laws are currently being prepared for Kilcullen. Cllr O’Dwyer said these could be ‘part of the discussion, but the strategy was to identify alternative parcels of land that could be bought or leased to establish a public car park in Kilcullen, particularly to serve the lower part of the town near the Cinema and Heritage Centre and the small businesses located there. Additionally, there is a need for on-street parking for residents.
“There have been significant financial incentives to reduce dereliction in town centres by turning 'over the shop' back into residential, which is to be commended,” she said. “However, in small towns like Kilcullen, the absence of a public car park has a negative impact.” She added that if parking is not readily available, “people will drive through a town because we all want convenience.”
The councillor expressed her belief that opportunities exist to acquire the necessary land but emphasised that the Council must commit to issuing an open call for expressions of interest to create a public car park near the Market Square, to supplement existing spaces in the Square as part of the parking strategy outlined in the Kilcullen Settlement Plan.
“All the plans we have completed and are currently working on should be live documents,” she concluded. “Otherwise, what is the point of them? This was an action in the Kilcullen Plan, and I am asking for it to be followed through on.”
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