Crossing, ramps, under construction

Kildare County Council has begun work on ramps and a pedestrian crossing outside Scoil Bhride.



The project involves traffic-calming ramps at either end of the road section, and pedestrian-controlled lights. The work has been in the planning stage for some time.



The matter has several times been the subject of discussion at meetings of Kilcullen Community Action, with for and against views being expressed on the ramps.

One view was that the Council relied too much on ramps for traffic calming, and consideration should be given to systems such as the chicane method commonly used on the Continent.

But a roads official in Kildare County Council told the Diary that when this system was tried in North Kildare, it was found to be 'more of a hazard than anything' because Irish motorists aren't disciplined enough to wait while an oncoming driver negotiates the chicane.

"We found they were racing each other to get to the chicane first," he said. "It's all about mentality. The chicanes would be much easier on cars and people, but they just don't seem to work here."

[ED NOTE: The Diary is curious as to why a pedestrian crossing is needed at this point? At the opposite side of the road, there are no houses towards the Newbridge direction, while anyone going north or south in the town is served by the main crossings at the Hideout corner. Maybe the Council is preparing for any plans to build houses in the Cattle Market field? Or to allow cars to park on the opposite side, thereby making the road even more congested? Perhaps somebody has the true explanation?]

Brian Byrne.