Traffic problems raised at KCA
A claim that applications for change of use of units at the Hillcrest development are being put on hold by Kildare County Council was made by JJ Warren at a recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action.
He said that the delays will remain until what are described as 'unauthorised' aspects of the development are 'satisfactorily concluded'.
His remarks were made during a discussion on parking and traffic management issues.
Esther Kiely had commented on the difficulties experienced by pedestrians trying to cross the road from the Gala supermarket, because they couldn't see if traffic was coming up the hill at speed.
The complex of shops and office space has been the subject of complaints suggesting that it was built beyond the line of its planning permission.
JJ Warren said the developer and the Council's Roads Department were working together to resolve the traffic issues. These would involve cutting back the footpath, which was too wide, and remarking the road.
Niall McDonnel had earlier raised the general traffic management issue, noting that there are several 'hazardous' spots in the town where parking caused potential danger.
"One is outside Pat Lawlor's house up the hill from Berney's Saddlery," he said. "People are always parking there and causing difficulties, with lorries having to skid to a halt when they find they have no room to pass against oncoming traffic."
Other areas remarked on were outside Moloney's shop, where parked cars often cause obstruction to two lines of traffic, and in the area of the exit from the Esso filling station.
JJ Warren commented that many of the problems were merely a matter of non-enforcement of standard traffic laws.
Kieran Forde said there are already by-laws in existence which could ban parking on one side of Main Street.
"They just haven't been implemented," he said. "Should we be asking for implementation? If we ask for double yellow lines to be put down, there will be people complaining that they are losing parking spaces."
Brian Byrne.
