Positive council responses to Kilcullen road safety issues

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has welcomed positive responses from Kildare County Council to two local safety and infrastructure issues, writes Brian Byrne. They relate to repairing a speed bump outside Scoil Bhride and a poor surface at St Brigid's Avenue.

Following her representations at today's Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, the Council has agreed to assess a damaged speed bump outside Scoil Bhríde on the busy Newbridge–Kilcullen Road (R413), with a view to carrying out urgent repairs. The critical traffic-calming measure, which slows vehicles directly outside the school gates, has developed a dangerously sharp edge, a concern for local motorists, due to heavy wear and tear. Cllr O’Dwyer has asked that works be prioritised and, where possible, completed during school holidays to minimise disruption.

Separately, the Council has committed to interim pothole repairs on the rear access road serving residents of St Brigid’s Avenue, Kilcullen, following another motion from Cllr O’Dwyer. The heavily deteriorated surface, which has not been fully resurfaced since the estate was built, will receive patch repairs to tackle the worst potholes. At the same time, officials continue to seek funding for full resurfacing. 

Cllr O’Dwyer said the commitments will provide immediate relief for residents and road users while longer-term solutions are pursued.

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Tracey O’Dwyer outlines her community priorities

In a newsletter update circulating in the Kildare-Newbridge MD, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has detailed her local agenda focused on roads, safety, community facilities, and planning across Kilcullen, Athgarvan, Newbridge, and related areas, writes Brian Byrne. The Kilcullen-based councillor was recently elected as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Kildare County Council.

For Kilcullen, the Fine Gael councillor says a major priority has been securing the future of Teach na nDaoine. She notes the building, which she hopes will become a dedicated space for senior citizens’ groups, was secured from the HSE for a nominal fee, with €180,000 in Local Property Tax funding allocated for essential repairs and works expected to begin before the end of this year. She also highlights progress on the Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail, saying she worked with the Old Kilcullen Committee and Kildare County Council to propose amendments after public consultation.

Road safety remains another major focus. She said she continues to push for improvements at Thompson’s Cross in Old Kilcullen, where work is hoped to commence this year, road widening in Athgarvan, and safety upgrades at several junctions, including Corbally, Mile Mill, Grangebeg, Baroda, and Kennel Bridge. Traffic calming on Kilcullen approach roads is a priority concern, and works are due to begin later this year on a €50,000 traffic calming project on the Curragh Road in Athgarvan. 

Cllr O’Dwyer has also been working with KCC to deal with parking pressures in Kilcullen — including in Kilcullen estates Bishop Rogan, Cnoc na Greine, and Riverside — on road and path upgrades, and on better bus stops and shelters for Two Mile House, Kilcullen, and Kinneagh Cross, and those recently provided in Athgarvan. She is also seeking improved access from the M9/M7 to Newbridge.

On community services, the councillor said she is addressing the lack of medical card dental services in Kilcullen and the shortage of childcare and after-school places. She also confirms €100,000 has been secured for a skatepark in Kilcullen, with a suitable site now being sought.

In Newbridge, she is working towards achieving a swimming pool, a municipal sports hub and a cultural centre, while in Athgarvan, she is supporting a new community space. She is also seeking a columbarium wall in St Brigid’s cemetery in Kilcullen.

The update also covers estate taking-in-charge projects, with work ongoing in locations including Hillcrest and Riverside in Kilcullen, Moorehill Wood in Brannockstown, and Walshestown Abbey and The Meadows in Newbridge. Cllr O’Dwyer says the adoption of the Kilcullen and Newbridge settlement plans in 2025 gives the area a roadmap for balanced development, and she points to zoning wins for school capacity in Kilcullen, and a new swimming pool and a sports hub for Newbridge.

She says her overall aim is to support safer communities and to keep local development aligned with infrastructure, accessibility and the needs of residents.

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Local roads motions for MD meeting

Local roads issues are the focus of two motions put on the agenda of the next meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, writes Brian Byrne.

The first is a request for Kildare CC to carry out repairs to the speed bumps at Scoil Bhride. The second is seeking consideration of the back access road at St Brigid's Avenue for resurfacing in 2027, and in the meantime, fix the potholes there.

The meeting will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, in the Council Chamber, Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas. 

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Councillor will continue to work for M9 exit ramp to Newbridge

M9 J11/1 doesn't bring traffic to Newbridge or M7 south.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says she will continue to work towards getting official consideration for a new exit ramp off the M9 motorway, to better serve traffic coming from the south-east to access Newbridge and the M7 south, writes Brian Byrne. Her comment follows a less-than-optimistic response to a motion at the recent Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting requesting the council to seek an assessment for the facility by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The lack of the suggested link means that cars and commercial vehicles coming from the south-east on the M9 have to come through Kilcullen or along the Sunnyhill Road to access Newbridge and the M7 south, with consequences for traffic congestion and road safety. 

The officials' report on her motion noted that Newbridge already has two M7 motorway interchanges (J10 and J12), giving access from both directions. While the Kildare County Development Plan proposes studying improved traffic movements at the M7/M9 interchange (J11/1), this junction does not appear in current national plans or funding lists up to 2030, and the feasibility study for it is not funded.

Cllr O'Dwyer says that other councillors at the meeting voiced their support for her motion, but unfortunately, there was nobody from the Roads Department at the meeting to discuss it.

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Movement on Hillcrest TIC

Forward movement on the long-running taking-in-charge process for Hillcrest estate in Kilcullen has been welcomed by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a question she raised at yesterday’s Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting.

Officials said Hillcrest is part of the council's legacy portfolio of estates being progressed towards taking in charge, and that it hopes investigative works can be carried out later this year, subject to available resources. It was confirmed that engagement with Uisce Éireann will begin in relation to the estate’s foul and water network.

Cllr O’Dwyer said the update was a positive step and that she looks forward to seeing the matter move closer to completion.

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Busy Kildare-Newbridge MD agenda

Image: S&S Interiors.

Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District councillors will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, 17 June, with transport, road safety, local infrastructure and community facilities set to dominate the agenda, writes Brian Byrne. A large share of the meeting will focus on transport and mobility issues across the district. 

Motions call for extra public lighting at The Mill Lane in Roseberry, a review of disability parking locations in Newbridge, an assessment of an M9 motorway exit before Kilcullen to better serve Newbridge, and a request to Irish Rail to examine reopening Kildangan Train Station. Councillors will also debate traffic calming, resurfacing and road safety measures in areas including Maddenstown, Kildare Town, Standhouse Lawns, Mountprospect, Rathangan and Baronstown East.

Parks and community amenities will also feature, with proposals concerning Rathangan Playground, Abbotts Wood in Kildangan, and the future of Lakeside Park in Newbridge. Members are due to seek updates on housing and regeneration matters, including the Rickardstown site and the new Newbridge Library project.

Other items include water supply issues in Hillsborough, use of the official Irish name ‘An Droichead Nua’, plans for Moore Abbey in Monasterevin, taking in charge of Hillcrest Estate in Kilcullen, action on dog fouling in Newbridge, and possible future use of Liffey Lodge as a youth centre.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10am in the Council Chamber at Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas.

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Bus stop relocation and upgrade update

A bus at the stop in 1929.

The existing bus stop at Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen is under consideration for relocation and upgrading, local councillors have been told, writes Brian Byrne. The upgrade will include a shelter, if deemed feasible, as part of the upgrade.

The information was provided at a recent meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, in response to a motion by Cllr Tom McDonnell that a shelter be provided at the existing stop.

The current bus stop opposite The Hideout has been a key community, people transport, and freight link since the 1920s.

At the same meeting, the councillor was told that, in response to another motion, the existing traffic calming measures in Moanbane Park housing estate will be assessed to determine if additional measures may be required.

READ: Bus stop to change with CPC building

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Pedestrian crossing assessment 'when resources available'

An assessment of the need for a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown will be carried out 'when resources are available', writes Brian Byrne. Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who is seeking the crossing, was told that her request has been 'added to a list' of similar requests across the county.

Cllr O'Dwyer told the monthly meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD that the need for the crossing is 'growing more and more', for pedestrians on the Nicholastown side to be able to access the entrance to the community centre, all weather pitches and the GAA Field of Dreams, and the primary and secondary schools.

She noted that an access from the road was always in place to allow pedestrians get to and from the schools and the community centre. "It even has the little railing to prevent children from running out onto the road," she said. "It is a natural permeability route and should be formalised."

She welcomed the commitment to have it assessed for a proper crossing.

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Fresh push for pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown

The need for progress on a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown is to come before the next Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, writes Brian Byrne. Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has submitted a motion asking that the council schedule a Section 38 process for the installation of a crossing opposite the Nicholastown and Conroy Park estates, to facilitate pedestrian access to the community centre and the community walkway at the Field of Dreams.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1994, a Section 38 procedure allows a local authority to introduce traffic calming and minor road improvement measures where these are considered necessary in the interests of the safety and convenience of road users.

At the recent AGM of Kilcullen Community Action, Nicholastown resident Eoin Houlihan described the location as “lethal”, saying that cars and trucks are going at high speeds, especially in the morning. "It’s terrifying," he said. "It’s not safe — there are a lot of kids crossing.”

At that meeting, Cllr O'Dwyer said there had already been requests for action in the area. She said a crossing was warranted, and while there was a council commitment in principle to provide one and other traffic-calming measures, it's a matter of finding funding.

If passed, the motion would mark an important next step in moving the proposal into the formal statutory process required before works can proceed.

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Reports from Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting

Kildare County Council is to assess the possibilities of providing pull-in bays for Bishop Rogan Park, Nicholastown, and Cnoc na Greine to prevent service trucks from mounting paths and green areas, writes Brian Byrne. This is on the foot of a motion at yesterday's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, placed by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer.

However, the MD engineer noted that it does not have funding available to construct such bays.

The councillor was also told that a design has been prepared for Thompson’s Cross and is currently being reviewed by the Council's Transport Section. The design includes traffic calming measures, and there will be an update on a commencement date following a tender process.

A question Cllr O'Dwyer asked about plans to upgrade the crossing at Two Mile House Primary School received a negative response.

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Kilcullen issues raised by councillor for next meeting

Bishop Rogan Park: request for pull-in bays.

Councillor Tracey O’Dwyer has submitted motions and inquiries aimed at enhancing infrastructure and safety in Kilcullen and Two Mile House ahead of the upcoming Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, writes Brian Byrne. The meeting is scheduled to take place on 15 April at Áras Chill Dara.

The councillor requests the council to investigate the feasibility of installing pull-in bays within Bishop Rogan Park, Nicholastown, and Cnoc na Greine estates to prevent service vehicles from obstructing footpaths and green spaces.

Cllr O’Dwyer has also tabled a motion requesting the results of a traffic survey conducted in Kilcullen in May 2025. This survey gathered data pertaining to traffic volume, flow, parking turnover, and pedestrian activity.

A request for a detailed update on the scope and commencement date of works at Thompson’s Cross is the subject of a question from the councillor. She also wants the council to confirm plans to upgrade the pelican crossing at Two Mile House Primary School, noting that cars are currently failing to yield to children crossing the road.

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Council 'should seek expressions of interest' on parking provision in Kilcullen

Kildare County Council should seek expressions of interest from landowners to advance a commitment to finding alternative parking facilities for downtown Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne. That’s the view of Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, speaking on her motion regarding this matter at the monthly Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting. 

Noting that the Council had committed to considering the issue within 12 months of adopting the Kilcullen Settlement Plan, she requested an update on the measures taken to progress this goal. 

The official response to the motion was that parking by-laws are currently being prepared for Kilcullen. Cllr O’Dwyer said these could be ‘part of the discussion, but the strategy was to identify alternative parcels of land that could be bought or leased to establish a public car park in Kilcullen, particularly to serve the lower part of the town near the Cinema and Heritage Centre and the small businesses located there. Additionally, there is a need for on-street parking for residents. 

“There have been significant financial incentives to reduce dereliction in town centres by turning 'over the shop' back into residential, which is to be commended,” she said. “However, in small towns like Kilcullen, the absence of a public car park has a negative impact.” She added that if parking is not readily available, “people will drive through a town because we all want convenience.” 

The councillor expressed her belief that opportunities exist to acquire the necessary land but emphasised that the Council must commit to issuing an open call for expressions of interest to create a public car park near the Market Square, to supplement existing spaces in the Square as part of the parking strategy outlined in the Kilcullen Settlement Plan. 

“All the plans we have completed and are currently working on should be live documents,” she concluded. “Otherwise, what is the point of them? This was an action in the Kilcullen Plan, and I am asking for it to be followed through on.”

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Kilcullen car parking to be raised again

The issue of car parking in Kilcullen is being raised again at next Wednesday's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, writes Brian Byrne. A motion from Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer asks the council to outline the steps taken to begin a parking strategy for the town. 

The councillor notes that this was previously identified as a high-priority short-term action, intended to protect the prominence of the town centre. 

This follows a traffic and pedestrian survey of Kilcullen in May last year, undertaken on behalf of Kildare County Council, to assess traffic flow, density, parking turnover, and pedestrian movements. Last June, Cllr O'Dwyer requested that parking by-laws be developed for Kilcullen during a review of such by-laws across the county. 

Officials at the time said the matter would be raised at the Transport, Mobility and Open Spaces Strategic Policy Committee for consideration as part of the 2025 Work Programme, which includes parking policy. 

In other items for the meeting, Cllr O'Dwyer is asking the council to consider installing public lighting at Kinneagh Cross, to confirm a non-slip surface for the bend near Gormanstown Church, and to provide recommendations and next steps for Carnalway Bridge, which was damaged in a recent collision during icy weather.

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Call for Kilcullen memorial to Frank Conroy, killed in Spanish Civil War

Kildare County Council is being asked to commission a memorial in Kilcullen to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the death of Frank Conroy, a local man killed in the Spanish Civil War, writes Brian Byrne. The matter is on the agenda of the next meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, scheduled for 18 February, in a motion by Cllr Noel Connolly.

Born on 25 February 1914 in Kilcullen, Conroy died at Lopera in Córdoba, fighting with the International Brigade in December 1936. He had previously been an active IRA volunteer and a member of the Republican Congress.

On Saturday, 22 June 2019, Christy Moore unveiled a plaque to Conroy, presented to the Kilcullen Heritage Centre by the Friends of the International Brigades Ireland. 

The Frank Conroy Committee recently commissioned memorial badges, which are available at Kilcullen Heritage Centre.

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Town gates proposal may be considered after speed review

The southern approach at Nicholastown.

Any consideration of 'town gate' traffic-calming measures for Kilcullen will have to wait until County Kildare's speed limits are next reviewed, the recent meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD was told, writes Brian Byrne. The measure was raised by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer by way of motion, for both Kilcullen and Athgarvan.

Officials said the speed limits review will take place this year and that it would be more appropriate to plan the settlement

gateway locations once the process is complete, and these can be incorporated into any proposed changes to speed limits.

Cllr O'Dwyer said she didn't disagree with the report, but that it would be prudent to carry out a design review at the locations in both towns in preparation for the implementation of traffic-calming. 

"The Kilcullen Road, which was the old Dublin Road, was designed for a speed of 80 to 100 miles per hour, as it was a main road," she said. "In my opinion, driver behaviour is a direct result of the design of a road and not the signage on the road. In the case of the Kilcullen road, the current design encourages motorists to drive at a higher speed because it is a straight, wide road. In the case of Athgarvan, again, the road is designed for a higher speed than will be implemented through the speed review." 

The councillor commented that speed remains the number one issue in all of Kildare's towns and villages, particularly in towns with wide approach roads like Kilcullen and in villages like Athgarvan, which are being used as rat runs to access Naas and the motorway. 

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Plans adopted for Old Kilcullen Trail

The plans for a proposed Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail were adopted at today's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne. The project has been the subject of a Part 8 process, and the plans were on public view from the end of last September until 2 November.

The trail will include signage, new traffic calming measures, car parking, pedestrian and cycle traffic on Hacklow Road, landscaping, and biodiversity improvements. 

The Heritage Trail project has been led by the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association since 2020. At the end of 2021, OKACA received a feasibility and design grant of €45,000 from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund administered by the Department of Rural & Community Development, following an application through KCC.

Athy-based Hayes Ryan Landscape Architects prepared a study for a proposed trail, which will have viewing points to the ancient medieval Royal Site of Knockaulin (Dun Ailinne), The Curragh, The Hill of Allen, The Dublin and Wicklow Mountains and Mount Leinster, as well as links to the historic features within the area of Old Kilcullen.

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