Opinions called for on crossroads improvement

Residents and businesses in Kilcullen are being asked for their opinions on whether there should be a major change to the crossroads at The Hideout in order to have a safer intersection, writes Brian Byrne.

Changes could have implications for on-street parking, according to Kildare County Council.

The matter relates to a problem of traffic filtering right from the Carlow Road, which was first raised here on the Diary in July 2006. The absence of a filter light makes it difficult and dangerous for motorist on a daily basis.

Most recently the matter was raised by Cllr Billy Hillis in the Naas Municipal District, with the support of Deputy Martin Heydon, looking for a cost of introducing a filter light.

The Council engineer's response was that it is not possible to provide additional functionality at this junction without extensive works. These would amend the layout of the junction, extending the right hand lanes for both north and south bound traffic.

The Council says this would 'impact on on-street car parking spaces' and would require new signalling equipment for the entire junction. Facilities for 'vulnerable road users' will also need to be improved, the report says.

Deputy Heydon is now seeking feedback from residents and businesses to see if they would be in favour of a potential widening of the junction, 'should funding for it be secured'.

Anyone interested can contact him at martin.heydon@oireachtas.ie.

The Diary has reported on the problem and the official response to it on many occasions. Here are some links.

More danger on red. (2006)

Call for traffic lights re-think. (2007)

Council response on lights. (2007)

Solving a traffic problem.  (2007)

Footpaths, lights motions. (2012)

Traffic lights obsolete. (2012)

Junction widening coming. (2014)