Kilcullen plans will make it 'unattractive' to HGVs — Council
Proposals for the improvement works in Kilcullen Town Centre, recently passed by the councillors of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, will make the route through the town 'less attractive' for heavy goods vehicles, writes Brian Byrne.
That was the response from Kildare County Council officials to concerns about HGV traffic expressed in several submissions to the proposals, following public consultation in a Part 8 planning process. The Council's responses were provided to councillors last week in a Report signed off by the Senior Executive Officer of KCC's Planning, Strategic Projects & Public Realm department.
The Report noted that the 3.4pc figure for HGVs given in a Parking Report on the scheme reflected the observations through Automatic Traffic Counters during a 7-day period in 2019. "We accept that at times this may vary," the response continued, adding that the scheme's design, in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), incorporates controlled crossings and slowing of traffic to give priority to pedestrian movement. "This will make the route through the town centre less attractive for HGV movement."
In relation to several businesses' concerns about the reduction of on-street parking having the potential to seriously affect their operation, the Council says that it is 'currently progressing the option of alternative car parking and the introduction of a dedicated loading bay in the vicinity of the area between Market Square and River Cafe', which will be addressed at the 'detail design stage'. "Furthermore, KCC is committed to exploring and developing alternative parking options within reasonable walking distance of Market Square and Main Street prior to the commencement of works."
Commenting on an expressed need for an overall approach to traffic management in Kilcullen, the Report notes that in line with DMURS practice, the scheme will not rely on 'extensive regulatory controls and physically intrusive measures for enforcement'. "Such environments are ... self-regulatory through the application of a variety of psychological and physical measures in order to lower the operating speed of the environment."
Concerns about the proposed access turning space design to Bentley's Lane to accommodate HGV deliveries were met with the 'DMURS' design response, and a comment that 'it is not feasible to increase the radius as this will entail moving the building or removing the pedestrian walkway, which is contrary to the spirit of this proposal'. Related issues about enforcing double yellow line restrictions 'is a matter for An Garda Siochana ... and the KCC Community Wardens', is the Report's response to every submission that raised the parking enforcement issue.
Specifically to the submission by the Riverside Manor Residents Association, that motorists displaced from existing parking arrangements would park on the estate's access road, the officials said the estate has not been taken in charge by KCC, and such issues — including the introduction of double yellow lines along the estate's access route — are 'outside the scope' of the project's Part 8 process. The Association's suggestion that entrance and egress to the Market Square should be by a controlled junction, to avoid gridlock that can impact on traffic elsewhere in the town, is not accepted.
A number of submissions referred to the lack of provision for bicycle lanes and related infrastructure. The Report commentary noted that due to the width of the street, 'a continuous cycle lane cannot be be considered without the removal of on-street parking'. "The redesign of the carriageway and Market Square will lower traffic speeds within these areas ... increases safety and accessibility for pedestrian traffic and bicycles alike." The provision and location of bicycle racks within the Market Square 'will be considered detail design stage'.
Other suggestions which will be considered at the detail design stage include under-grounding the overhead cables currently in the Market Square areas, providing way-finding and parking facility signage, and the provision of disabled parking, lighting and 'various other specifications'.
The Report made amendments to the original proposals, including design and implementation of bicycle parking infrastructure, extension of coloured material on the road surface at Market Square, and revisions to the parking arrangements between Market Square and River Cafe to incorporate a dedicated loading bay, a disabled parking space, and an 'age-friendly' parking space.
A total of 34 submissions were received at the closing date of 9 March 2022. Five were from internal departments within KCC, two from KCC elected representatives, and three from community organisations. The remainder were from members of the public, business owners, landholders and interested parties.
The full list of submissions: John Tracey, D Brennan & Sons Ltd, Antoinette Buckley, Pat & Rosaleen Bergin, Bridget Ryan, Patrick Nugent, Jim Buckey, Anna Mcleod, Orla O’Neill, Martin Sheridan, Noel Clare, Riverside Manor Residents Association, Katrina O’Connell, Kilcullen Tidy Towns, Howard Berney, Tony O’Sullivan, Eoin Houlihan, Ann Cashman, Dawn Behan, Ray Kelly, Cllr Tracey O’ Dwyer, Fiona Sloan, Sorcha McCoy, Stephen Clare, Murphy Design & Build Solutions Ltd, Laura Bowen, River Café Kilcullen, Alan O’Connell, Cllr Noel Heavey, Carmel O’Grady, KCC Executive Parks Superintendent; Ruth Kidney, KCC Architectural Conservation Office; KCC Environment Department; Celina Barrett, Chief Officer Kildare Fire Service; and George Willoughby, KCC Transportation and Public Safety Department.
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