Agreement at Council to design Pinkeen bridge
 |
| The unofficial crossing is used by hundreds of schoolchildren every day. |
The Area Engineer for the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District has agreed to appoint a consultant for design to delivery stage of a pedestrian bridge over Pinkeen Stream, writes Brian Byrne.
This followed a pledge from Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer that the remainder of the money in her LPT discretionary allowance could be used for this purpose.
The matter generated a lengthy discussion at today's meeting of the MD, where it was the subject of motion and question from Cllrs Tracey O'Dwyer and Fiona McLoughlin Healy. The reports from officials noted that any such works require a Section 50 application to the OPW and also discussions with Inland Fisheries. It would require the appointment of a consultant to prepare the required design, but there was no funding allocated in the current Council Budget.
"When it was clear that the issue was funding, I made a counter-proposal asking if my pledge of funding would be acceptable," Cllr O'Dwyer told the Diary. "The Area Engineer said it would be. So the matter is agreed, and she will be coming back to me with a costing."
The location of the bridge is likely to be just opposite the corner of the Community Playground, where those crossing can safely link up with the footpath that runs the length of the access road to the Community Centre.
The issue has been raised at Council level since at least 2015, notably by Cllrs Rob Power and Fintan Brett. Previous Diary reports on the matter can be read below.
Simple solution to Pinkeen Stream crossing issue?
'No resources' to provide Pinkeen Stream crossing
