More push on bus shelter issue

Clarification on the process to have private individuals or companies sponsor public facilities, such as a bus shelter, is being sought by Naas MD councillor James Lawless, writes Brian Byrne.

His motion at this week's MD meeting on this was based on the fact that a potential commercial sponsor has been identified for the provision of a number of bus shelters in mid-Kildare communities, including Kilcullen. Cllr Lawless has been seeking the provision of such shelters for some time.

He says his query at this week's meeting resulted in a 'not entirely satisfactory' response from the Council. "It seemed to suggest I might need to contact the National Transport Authority or maybe Bus Eireann again, which seemed to me to be going in circles," he told the Diary. "It appears to be somewhat of a unique situation that a private individual is prepared to fund public works and the council do not appear to have dealt with it before."

However, as there is definitely a precedent for commercial sponsors interacting with local authorities in relation to maintaining road roundabouts and green areas, he will investigate further, and will be meeting with relevant officials and engineers on the matter.