Traffic peak times in Clane highlighted at Kildare County Council meeting

Clane becomes 'a village to steer clear from' at peak traffic hours.

That's according to Fianna Fáil councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick.

He made the comments at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which was held on Friday, January 5 last.

Cllr Fitzpatrick motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to remove the parking spaces outside O'Brien’s coffee shop on the Prosperous Road, Clane, in order to 'reduce the build-up of traffic turning left onto Main Street.'

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil.

In response to Cllr Fitzpatrick's motion, KCC had this to say: "In built up areas, National and Regional Policy seeks not to increase traffic capacity at signalised junctions which will increase the risk to vulnerable road users.

"There are plans to upgrade the junction by rationalising the approach from the Prosperous Road and reduce the crossing width for pedestrians at the junction, however, funding for this improvement has not been secured to date," KCC added.

Commenting further on the matter, Cllr Fitzpatrick suggested that a feeder lane could be installed in the place of the parking spaces.

He added: "It is an easy fix, and would alleviate traffic at peak times."

The concerns were brough to Kildare County Council's attention at the meeting by Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick.

Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy differed with his opinion, saying: "I can see where Cllr Fitzpatrick is coming from, but when you see motorists staying in the corner with their backs to O'Briens... it's a very tight position.

"Some of them have to cross over to the footpath."

Cllr McEvoy added: "I would be apprehensive over increasing the traffic flow through the town."

Donal Hodgins, an engineer with KCC who was present at the meeting, told the two representatives that the issue served 'as an example of when (the issues of) sustainable transport and traffic flow come into conflict with one another.'

However, he also said that the issue could be looked at from the context of the Town Centre First Plan for Clane.

"I understand the rationale, but when it's (traffic) peak time, Clane becomes a village to steer away," Cllr Fitzpatrick replied.

He also voiced concerns over the visibility of certain lines on the road, as well as the line of sight for motorists in the area.