Kildare councillor says he is disappointed with budget for Sustainable Transport projects

A councillor has said that he is 'disappointed' with the budget for Sustainable Transport projects within Kildare.

The comments were made by Green Party Cllr Peter Hamilton following a presentation on a public transport committee, which was delivered to councillors at a full Kildare County Council (KCC) meeting.

The meeting took place virtually at 3pm yesterday.

A report was delivered in the form of a presentation from the Chair of the Transportation, Safety and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee, Fianna Fáil Cllr Paul Ward, who serves the constituents of the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD).

Opening the presentation, Cllr Ward mentioned two restructured directives from January 2023: Transportation, Mobility and Open Spaces (headed by Celina Barrett) and Planning, Enterprise, Economic Development and Emergency Services (headed by Alan Dunney).

He noted that three meetings had been held so far this year, with the next scheduled for November 2.

The presentation was delivered by Cllr Paul Ward. File photograph.

Elected members on the committee are as follows: Cllr Ward (Chairperson), Fine Gael Cllr Joe Neville (Celbridge-Leixlip MD), Fianna Fáil Cllr Anne Connolly (Kildare-Newbridge MD), Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney (Clane-Maynooth MD), Green Party Cllr Bob Quinn (Naas MD), Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen (Celbridge-Leixlip MD) and former Fine Gael Cllr Mark Stafford (Kildare-Newbridge MD).

Stafford no longer serves as a councillor and is set to be replaced.

Ms Barrett is listed as the designated official.

The committee also features other members who deal with a wide range of matters: Cormac Browne (Agriculture/Farming), Brian Purcell (Business/Commercial), Gerry Dornan (Development/Construction; due to be replaced) and one vacant role for PPN - Community/Voluntary matters.

Cllr Ward pointed out that two policies had been approved under the committee, at past full KCC meetings: the County Parking Policy Framework (agreed back in December 2022) and Taking in Charge of Housing Developments (agreed back in May 2023).

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He also outlined the commitee's current work programme, which includes: an Electronic Vehicle charging policy, Escort to Education policy, Park and Stride policy, Quiet Roads, Permeability in Housing Estates, and an initiative known as 'Rothar Roads', which centres on cycling measures in rural areas.

In addition, Cllr Ward noted that the group visited the Athy Distrubutor Road (ADR), which is currently under construction.

He praised the progress being made on the ADR project thus far, complimenting the 'comprehensive works' made by the developers.

Following this, he said that a number of presentations had been made by the commitee regarding Access and Disability, the ADR, Climate Action and Transportation and Local Link matters, as well as one presentation being delivered to Kildare Fire Service.

Lastly, Cllr Ward explained the details surrounding the Sustainable Transport Forum Subcommittee (STFS): he said that the inaugural meeting was held back in June, and that a meeting involving the STFS would be held on October 18.

The members of the STFS were listed as follows: Cllr Ward (Chairperson), Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh (Athy MD), Independent Cllr Seamie Moore (Naas MD), Cllr Peter Hamilton (Clane-Maynooth MD), Labour Party Cllr Ciara Galvin (Celbridge-Leixlip) and Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender (Kildare-Newbridge MD).

Cllr Peter Hamilton, who is aligned with the Green Party.

Representatives who deal with other specific matters include: Alan Kerry (Local Link), Paula O'Rourke (Climate Action Officer), Gerry Dornan (Cycling - PPN nominee), Michael Rafter (Maynooth University), Majella O'Keefe (CKAN), Claire Morrisey (Healthy Ireland), Maria Healy (Sláintecare) and KCC engineer Donal Hodgins (Active Transport).

When the presentation concluded, Cllr Peter Hamilton told Cllr Ward that he was pleased with the 'very good' Taking-in-Charge progress made by KCC for different projects.

He also commended 'the execution (made) by the teams (with KCC) and the use of resources,' and said that he was looking forward 'to what Rothar Roads has to offer.'

However, Cllr Hamilton was more critical of the budget for Sustainable Transport projects, saying: "It's still disappointing to see it... we seem to be stumbling with it."

Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy also commented on the presentation, saying that he would like to see a reduction in private car movement throughout the county.

He also suggested providing any and all feedback that the committee may have to the Public Realms team.