Market Square plan costs face 'significant increase'

Cllr Chris Pender and Market Square.

The cost of implementing the proposed Kilcullen Market Square redevelopment is expected to be 'significantly higher' than the current €1.4 million estimate, according to Kildare County Council's Public Realm department, writes Brian Byrne. The  project is at the moment scheduled to receive the €1.4 million in development levies over the three years of the council's Capital Programme 2025-2027.

The information was provided in answer to a question from Cllr Chris Pender at yesterday's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, requesting an update on progress, timelines, and any challenges that might impact the project implementation.

The project, first mooted in 2017, received Part 8 approval in 2022 and the report to the councillor's question noted that the next steps will include procurement, preparation of tender document, detailed design and construction. 

The meeting also heard that securing alternative parking 'is a priority', as car parking cannot be removed from the Square until an alternative location is ready. The proposed loss of 14 car parking spaces in the existing square, as well as a reduction in the number of on-street spaces in the downtown Kilcullen area was a major point of contention during the progress of developing the plan.

A year ago, in response to a motion by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, the council said there were no plans to purchase land in Kilcullen for a public car park. 

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