Market Square car park 'for public use'

Market Square overground car park

The overground car park at the Market Square apartments complex is open for public use according to the original planning permission, writes Brian Byrne.

This has been confirmed by Kildare County Council, following a query from Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy, who has passed on the information to Kilcullen Community Action.

It follows a discussion at the recent KCA meeting on the Market Square redevelopment proposal and parking, where the councillor noted that there seemed to be a confusion between departments about the status of the building's parking areas.

In the clarification from the Council, the overground car park 'is privately owned but it was a condition of the planning permission granted for the apartment development that they be available for public use'. The Council says the underground parking spaces 'are for the use of residents', and there was no condition attached that they be made available for public use.

At the KCA meeting, Cllr McLoughlin Healy said delays in providing a plan for viewing in the public consultation were to make sure that any issues in the draft plan prepared by consultants were dealt with. Following the public consultation, a final plan incorporating any relevant amendments will be presented to councillors.

In relation to parking arrangements, which have been a contentious issue amongst some businesses in the area, the councillor said 'there are solutions'. "But you can't provide them until you bring people along with you and listen to their concerns," she said. She also noted that going underground to park was 'not an easy sell', especially to women motorists.

Parking in the market square.

In the discussion, the matter of people working in the area leaving their cars in the market square currently came up. Antoinette Buckley asked 'why can't they use the underground car park?'

There was also a suggestion that in any plan, the Loading Bay be restricted to certain times for loading, and the rest of the time be a recognised parking area, 'as it is mostly used for that anyway'.

Market Square Loading Bay.

The meeting heard that attempts had been made to discuss the status of the building's car parks with the current owners, 'but they don't respond'.

On the overall proposed redevelopment of the square plan, Cllr McLoughlin Healy said there was a possibility of another public meeting, possibly in September. Noel Clare said it would be essential that consultant James Hennessy be there.

Meantime, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says the Council has committed to answering a range of questions on the Market Square by the end of August/early September. She says she has asked the Market Square Redevelopment Committee if it might be an option for everyone to come together when she has all the information and discuss it together collectively.

She also says 'small but positive steps in the right direction' are being made in relation to a range of other issues in Kilcullen, including the taking in charge of estates, the installation of additional pedestrian crossings, bus shelters, a full review of traffic and speed management in the town and resurfacing the playground.


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