Timescale of Kildare Town housing project 'may have to be extended'

Kildare County Council (KCC) has admitted that the timescale of Kildare Town housing project 'may have to be extended'.

The revelation was heard at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 21 last.

At around the halfway point of this meeting, Labour Party Cllr Pat Balfe sought an update from KCC on construction works at the Cherry Avenue Park housing development.

As part of his request, Cllr Balfe wanted KCC to outline ‘the scope of the works, progress to date, any outstanding issues and the anticipated completion date’.

In response, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “Donnelly Civil Engineering were appointed on October 16 last to undertake the construction of Phase 1 development of Cherry Avenue Park.

“This will include: [an] upgrade to the existing entrance; [the] construction of a car park; grading throughout the site; a perimeter path and seating to facilitate circulation through the park; and landscaping throughout the site, including tree and shrub planting.”

KCC also revealed that the current timescale for the completion of the construction work is 36 weeks.

However, KCC added: “Given that we are now entering wintertime, and the effect that ground conditions will have on works particularly grading the soil on the site, this timescale may have to be extended.”

KCC continued: “The contractor expects to be starting enabling works at the end of the month.

“Once construction is complete, the park will require a period of time for grass and wildflower areas to establish before the park can be opened to the public.”

KCC concluded: “The timescale for this will depend on how the work progresses.”

Following this, Cllr Balfe told KCC that he accepted this report.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.