BACK TO SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PLEA

An Garda Síochána Kildare is urging road users to be careful as children return to school. Drivers are advised to slow down, stay alert, follow school wardens' directions, watch for children crossing, and give space to cyclists and pedestrians. 

Parking illegally or double parking is strictly prohibited. Parents should plan safe drop-off and collection points, avoid illegal parking, and discuss road safety with their children. 

A few extra seconds of care can significantly enhance safety.

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DEBRIS ON MOTORWAY WARNING

9.05am UPDATE: Cleared. 8.05am: A warning about debris on the M9 northbound between Kilcullen Services and the J2 to Kilcullen has been issued by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The agency says motorists should drive with caution and reduce speed when approaching the hazard.

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M9 collision incident cleared at lunchtime

Kilcullen experienced very heavy traffic through the morning, following a collision incident that closed the M9 northbound between J2 Kilcullen and the M9/M7 intersection.

The incident affected all three lanes and was only cleared a short time ago (1.20pm).

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30km/h speed limits proposed by Council

Image: KCC.

All Kilcullen housing estates that are taken in charge by KCC, and the main street from Conroy Park to the Market Square entrance north of the bridge, will be subject to a 30km/h speed limit under proposals being considered by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne. The limit would also apply on the R413 west as far as Castlemartin gates and east as far as the top entrance of the Valley Park.

The Supplementary Special Speed Limit Byelaws for Built-Up and Urban areas 2026, as proposed, are now open to public view until 28 August, as part of a consultation process. They can be accessed online or at the Council’s offices in Naas. 

After public consultation, the Elected Members will consider adopting the byelaws, possibly with amendments, and they will take effect upon adoption. 

The byelaws are detailed in five volumes of maps, each covering a different Municipal District. Submissions can be made online in accordance with the Department of Transportation Guidelines 2025.

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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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Call for 'urgent measures' at 'lethal' Kinneagh junction

Image: Tracey O'Dwyer.

Following a serious crash today that makes three in just a few months at Kinneagh Cross, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says she is seeking urgent interim measures to make the junction safer, writes Brian Byrne. Kinneagh Cross is notorious for its blind approach — particularly for drivers pulling out or approaching from the Newbridge side.

The councillor says the junction approaches are high speed and therefore a crash results in high impact. "It’s lethal, and the speed at which an impact happens is a real worry," she told the Diary, adding that the issue is similar to that at Thompson's Cross, near Kilcullen. "High speed, huge impact."

She says that she has been consistently raising the Kinneagh issue with the Council. "It is now on the list for upgrade works, and I would hope those works can start as soon as possible," she said after today's incident, which held up traffic in the area for some time. "The speed review is also currently underway, and if possible, I will be looking for the speed to be reduced at the approach to this junction."

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Council urges weather awareness

Kildare County Council has urged the public to stay weather aware as high temperatures bring an increased risk of thunderstorms and local flooding.

The council advises people to stay hydrated, seek shade during the hottest part of the day and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. It also reminds the public not to leave children, vulnerable people or animals in vehicles, even briefly, and to check in on neighbours who may need extra support.

People are advised to move indoors if thunder is heard, stop outdoor activity if lightning develops, and avoid driving in heavy rain unless necessary. Also, never to drive, walk or cycle through floodwater.

Additional advice covers water and fire safety, including supervising children near water, checking local conditions and not lighting fires in woodland or open countryside.

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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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30km/h speed limits on the way

A 30km/h speed limit for residential housing estates taken in charge by Kildare County Council will come into effect in July, writes Brian Byrne. And a similar limit for all built-up and urban areas is on track for introduction before the end of next March.

Both items were noted in a response at the recent full meeting of the council to a motion from Cllr Pat Balfe seeking a review of road safety in rural residential areas. The councillor said that increased traffic, particularly in older villages, is creating safety concerns for families.

The response also noted that a Road Safety Working Together Group (RSWTG) is being established, and will provide a collaborative forum through which key stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, Kildare Fire Service, and the local authority, can share information on road safety issues. 

A meeting of the RSWTG will be convened in the near future, the meeting was told, at which the issue of road safety in rural residential areas can be raised for further discussion and consideration.

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Garda holiday road safety campaign begins

An Garda Síochána in Kildare has launched a major road safety operation for the June Bank Holiday weekend, running from Thursday 28 May to Tuesday 2 June 2026, writes Brian Byrne. Ahead of the busy holiday period, drivers are urged to slow down, put their phones away and never drive under the influence. 

Enforcement activity will be significantly increased across the county, targeting so‑called “Lifesaver Offences” including drink and drug driving, speeding, mobile phone use while driving, seatbelt offences, and dangerous or careless driving.

The operation will focus on the times and locations where the risk of serious collisions is highest. Gardaí are warning that motorists who choose to drink or take drugs and drive, speed, or use their phone behind the wheel should expect to be stopped.

Gardai stress that one bad decision can have devastating consequences for families, communities and emergency services.

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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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Bank Holiday major Roads Policing Operation

An Garda Síochána has launched a major Roads Policing Operation for the May Bank Holiday weekend, writes Brian Byrne, with a heightened Garda presence across the country until 7am on Tuesday, 5 May.

The operation will focus on detecting life-threatening offences, including dangerous driving, speeding, seat belt breaches, mobile phone use and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The enforcement campaign is aimed at preventing serious and fatal collisions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Road users, particularly motorcyclists, are being urged to take extra care over the weekend.

Twenty-nine motorcyclists died, and 195 were seriously injured on Irish roads in 2025.

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Take it handy on the roads

Image: Christopher Politano via Pexels.

Following last night's heavy frost, drivers are advised to watch out for black ice, especially in shaded areas or near walls, where it can be particularly slippery. Other precautions include clearing all windows and mirrors of ice and mist before setting off — use a scraper or de-icer, not hot water. 

While driving, reducing speed and making gentle, smooth movements when steering, braking, or accelerating can help maintain control. Also, avoid sudden manoeuvres, such as harsh braking or acceleration, and stay in the highest possible gear to prevent skidding. 

Generally, drivers should check their tyres to ensure they have at least 3mm of tread and are properly inflated for optimal grip.

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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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Garda checks today on licences, insurance, NCT

Today is a National Day of Action by An Garda Siochána focused on vehicle and driver compliance. Gardaí will be highly visible nationwide, conducting checkpoints and targeted enforcement using advanced technology.  

Specifically, An Garda Síochána Kildare Carlow will be checking drivers and vehicles for valid driving licences, up-to-date motor tax, a valid NCT, and valid motor insurance, using real-time data systems. There will also be checks for proper seat belt use for all occupants and illegal mobile phone use while driving. 

These checks aim to protect all road users and address behaviours that significantly increase collision risk.

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Traffic-calming 'gateways' requested for Kilcullen

The southern approach at Nicholastown.

Traffic-calming ‘Town Gates’ are being requested for Kilcullen’s approach roads at the upcoming January meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, writes Brian Byrne. Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer is asking the Council to consider the idea.

Typically, the systems are used in towns along major roads to mark the transition from higher-speed rural areas to lower-speed urban areas. 

The ‘gateways’ can include features such as narrowing the carriageway by installing centre linear islands, changes in road surfacing, and distinctive landscaping to remind drivers that they are entering a lower-speed area where they are likely to encounter vulnerable road users.

The Naas Road approach and the southern approach at Nicholastown in Kilcullen are examples of where such gateways could improve road safety, as they are wide roads where motorists regularly exceed the speed limit.

Cllr O’Dwyer’s motion also asks for similar consideration for approach roads to Athgarvan. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026, at 10am in the Council Chamber.

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