Kildare County Council denies lack of engagement on issue

A Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) was critical of what she alleged to be Kildare County Council’s (KCC) lack of being able provide feedback on an issue in Kildare town.

Cllr Suzanne Doyle made her views known at the latest MD meeting on Wednesday, July 17 last when representatives for the MD were asked 'to note section 38 of the road Traffic Act 1994 - St Brigid’s Primary School, Kildare town, Safe Routes to School Scheme.'

Cllr Doyle asked KCC when the scheme is commencing, and also asked how many parking spaces had been lost in the design.

She also said: "There has been an non-willingness to meet me on site on three separate occasions, and I want this noted [by KCC]."

Cllr Doyle also asked KCC about the projected commencement and finishing dates for the scheme.

In response, KCC engineer, Donal Hodgins, told her that the matter would go to a public consultation first, which would be followed by an approval process with the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Cllr Doyle replied: "I have years of experience of feedback from the public on this, and I want the non-willingness to meet her [on site] noted."

Mixed reactions to Section 38 notices from Naas councillors following special meeting

The notices were heard at a special Naas MD meeting

'NOT ACCEPTED'

Mr Hodgins said in response: "It is not accepted by the Executive [in KCC] that there has not been enough consultation."

"I’m not aware of any request to meet you on site... it is difficult to meet everyone [political representatives] on site," he added.

However Cllr Doyle maintained her view and replied that she was concerned that KCC would 'lose the faith of the public.'

"This is a farce in the statutory process," she added.

Mr Hodgins replied: "There are rules when it comes to consultations. It is unfair to accuse the Executive of closing down the public consultation."

However, Cllr Doyle said: "I’m not talking about extending the scheme, you’re moving the goalpost here. I’m talking about moving the scheme in a meaningful way. We shouldn’t be closed to the potential because of time."

Fianna Fáil Cllr Suzanne Doyle.

Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy voiced his support for Cllr Doyle.

"KCC has shown no regard for feedback," Cllr Duffy claimed: "There has to be an openness, in principle, that there will be amendments to the scheme."

He added: "I see an unwillingness from KCC to not compromise here."

The meeting heard from a KCC official that any amendments would result in the matter going back for second public consultation.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also gave his view on the matter: "What is jumping out at me, and from this discussion, is that the consultation should happen between councillors and KCC when the schemes are being designed."

"That’s what I was getting at," Cllr Doyle added.

Mr Hodgins replied: "This is a complicated matter: to build what is being proposed is costing more money than we are being allocated funding for.

"More work can happen, but we need more funding."

'WE DO NOT TURN OUR BACKS ON THE PUBLIC'

He continued: "We can talk to the NTA about this, but we can’t comment on behalf of the NTA on this.

"This is not the final word. We are open to doing extra work once the funding is made available."

"We [KCC] do not turn our backs on the public," Mr Hodgins concluded.