Cycle infrastructure ideas for Kilcullen get traction

Motor traffic in Kilcullen.

The idea of providing better cycling facilities in and around Kilcullen has gained a significant traction in the last couple of weeks, writes Brian Byrne.

Initially raised by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy at the Kildare Newbridge MD as a motion aimed at improving cycling safety on roads at both ends of the town, a further commentary developed when Kilcullen resident Orla O'Neill said cars should be 'displaced' in the town in favour of cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllr McLoughlin Healy's motion called for an examination by Kildare County Council's Technical Advisory Group of two cycle lane proposals. One would be from the Link Business Park (above) into the town along by Hillcrest. "This would provide a safer cycling option for the multiple estates along the road," she said, "and would also have the much-needed effect of slowing speeding traffic on the route."

The councillor's suggestion for the Athy Road end of town envisages a circular cycle route from the Kilcullen Business Park at Knockbounce along Nicholastown, then cutting through the Kilcullen Community Centre Campus to Cnoc na Greine Avenue which will eventually be part of the long-planned Link Road (above) back to the Athy Road at the Kilcullen Business Campus. "This would increase the permeability for pedestrians and cyclists around this area," she said, adding that given the Council has declared a Climate Emergency, providing safe alternatives to cars must now be prioritised 'as an urgency'.

During the discussion at the MD meeting, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer said there are a number of more urgent requirements which she is following up, such as the need for more pedestrian crossings in the town. Cllr McLoughlin Healy said her proposals were about having cycle infrastructure projects 'ready for application' when a government promise of allocating 10pc of all transport funding to cycling infrastructure comes available.

Following Orla O'Neill's 'displace the car' suggestion during a discussion on traffic impact in the town at the recent Kilcullen public meeting on the Kilsaran planning application for Ballyshannon, a busy commentary ensued on the Facebook link to the Diary's story on the idea.

Noel Clare said it would make for 'a much more attractive and healthy town'. He said that on a recent visit to Cross and Passion College, he found that 'not one student had cycled to school'. "I'm not sure of the statistics for Scoil Bhride, but I think it's not much different." He said that in Westport, over 70pc of local students have dedicated cycling lanes to their schools, 'and an ever increasing number are using them'.

School traffic in Kilcullen.

Orla O'Neill expanded on her initial comment, saying she would propose no on-street parking in Kilcullen's main street, with cycle lanes on both sides to reduce the width of the road and slow motor traffic. She also called for 'frequent' pedestrian crossings in the town. "Cycling up and down Kilcullen is not very safe at the moment so no parent would allow a child to cycle," she noted, and suggested getting one of the Westport 'cycling champions' to a talk in Kilcullen on how it was managed.

'Cycling down the town is a challenge.'

Sabina Reddy from Old Kilcullen says she makes a point of cycling to town frequently, but crossing the motorway bridge and cycling down the town is a 'challenge'. "We could do with some bicycle bays on the street," she said.

Cliona Kelliher said there's research that shows it can be of 'huge benefit' to businesses to reduce cars and increase pedestrian areas. "People are more likely to linger," she noted, adding that it would be good to get some Kilcullen input into the Transport Strategic Policy Committee at Kildare County Council.



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