Progress report issued by Kildare County Council on the proposed Blueway at Ballyteague

A progress report on the proposed Blueway at Ballyteague was provided to a Kildare county councillor.

The assurances were given to Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Weld by Kildare County Council (KCC) at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which took place on Friday, April 5 last.

At the meeting, Cllr Weld submitted the following motion: "That the council provide a progress report on the proposed Blueway at Ballyteague (Hendy’s Castle) where the proposed roadside kerb is causing concerns in relation to the narrowing of the road."

His motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Brendan Wyse.

In response, KCC told Cllr Weld: "The footpath / kerbing causing concern is being omitted, although the proposal was not to narrow the road, the external kerb of the proposed footpath was positioned at the edge of the existing road.

"The footpath as provided for in the planning permission was going to be too narrow, only a metre in places and right at the edge of the canal bank."

KCC continued: "Waterways Ireland were keen that the footpath be provided, but we have come to a compromise that will work for residents and Blueway users.

"We are now proposing a shared surface, with existing passing bays being regularised and the addition of one additional passing bay."

KCC added: "We have provided for similar on Grand Canal Greenway, where we have a shared surface.

"As we have experienced throughout the scheme and in other locations, despite planning permission being the appropriate time for submissions to be made, it is not until we actually get to site that we get engagement from locals, which is understandable.

"What is shown on a drawing at planning doesn’t always translate until residents see it on the ground."

KCC concluded by saying that it has, 'as with other locations, engaged with the local community, particularly the farming community, listened to the issues raised and where possible we have adapted the design to address those concerns.'

The progress report was sought by Cllr Brendan Weld at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting (File photograph).

However, Cllr Weld was displeased with the response, and told KCC that locals disagreed with the council's viewpoint.

Instead, the locals claim that the road has been narrowed.

Cllr Weld further said that he had safety concerns in relation to the area, and suggested: "Can we not provide a walkway on the bank?"

He added that locals 'are very agitated' in relation to the issue.

Cllr Wyse told KCC that while he supported Cllr Weld's motion, he also wanted to commend the council for its work on both the Greenway and Blueway projects so far.

"I don't think, in terms of the bigger picture, that this matter will affect the Blueway project," Cllr Wyse said.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick also expressed his support for Cllr Weld's motion.