Design Statement theme 'is not anti-car'

Although commentary about traffic in Kilcullen is often critical of cars and trucks making things difficult for other road users, that aspect of the development of a Design Statement for the town should not be seen as an 'anti-car exercise', writes Brian Byrne.

That's the view of consultants The Paul Hogarth Company who are working on the Statement under commission by Kilcullen Community Action.

The next stage of the process is a set of workshops on Saturday 12 February at which it is hoped many residents will provide their input. One of four themes for the workshops is Infrastructure and Linkages, which will examine ways of making Kilcullen an easier and safer place to move through, 'on foot, bicycle or wheelchair'.

But James Hennessy from the Hogarth Company makes it clear that this is not being anti-car, nor should that workshop be dominated by the 'car-based challenges'. “This is about movement of people through different modes," he says. "We have all got to move, and we have all got to get to places, and this is all about how we make the system work as effectively as possible.”

He says too that the Design Statement process is not a pedestrianisation project, as the physical situation in Kilcullen doesn't make it feasible to support that. "It's also very important that we don't let this become a 'them and us' situation. This is about developing a real and positive construction vision for the future, and bringing people together around solutions."

The themes for the event, which will run from 10am-1pm on the day, emerged from an initial public survey undertaken last November. The other three are Heritage and Natural Assets, Futureproofing and Sustainability, and Recreation for All.

Everyone is welcome to drop in, look, listen, and have their say.

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