Property ownership issue in footpaths refurbishment plan

A clarification of who owns various parts of the property through which footpaths from Scoil Bhride and the Community Centre pass is being undertaken by a group who met last Friday morning at the footpaths, writes Brian Byrne.

The meeting organised by Orla O'Neill was in relation to works proposed to be done on the paths, following the payment by Scoil Bhride of €27,000 towards fixing them as a planning condition for the school's building extension, currently under way.

Those who attended the early morning meeting included David Reel, Kildare County Council's area engineer; councillors Rob Power, Sorcha O'Neill, and James Lawless; Scoil Bhride principal Anne Flanagan; and Martin Murphy, project manager for the recently opened Kilcullen Community Childcare Centre.

"It was very useful for David Reel to be there at that time as he saw the hordes of people and children, many with buggies, coming from all directions and using the paths," Orla told the Diary. "The issue is somewhat problematic because land isn't in the hands of Council so the work may be done by way of a grant to the relevant organisation with an agreement but the Council would facilitate the work."

The Council is to do a costing on the work, which may just involve putting a new top layer on the existing paths, which are also used by walkers using the area as well as organisations connected to the Community Centre campus.

The matter was raised by Cllr Rob Power at yesterday's meeting of the Naas Municipal District in a previously-arranged motion. A report to the MD said the matter was being costed, and the work would be carried out after a tender process and 'subject to funding being available'.