Pedestrian crossing sought for site of recent Kildare accident

A Social Democrats councillor has called for greater pedestrian safety at a location in Monasterevin where a child was recently struck by a car.

Cllr Pat Balfe put forward his motion at a recent Kildare-Newbridge municipal district meeting, held on Wednesday March 19 2025.

Cllr Balfe's motion called on the council to examine the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing at the junction of the R414 and Drogheda Street, Monasterevin.

This, he said, would enhance pedestrian safety at the location, including for students attending primary schools along this road.

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Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Balfe said the matter had been raised in the council previously, but what urged him to bring the motion forward was the fact that a child had been struck by a car at the location on March 5 this year.

Cllr Balfe said he had personally spoken with several eye witnesses, and it did not appear the incident was down to driver behaviour.

He acknowledged that the area was part of an active travel scheme, but said the school in the vicinity is itself “still a building site” and parking is “a nightmare” at drop-off and pick-up times.

The road, he pointed out, is quite busy at all times with a footpath just on one side of the road.

He was raising the issue today, he said, to highlight the importance of the matter and to see if anything could be progressed.

Seconding Cllr Balfe's motion, Cllr Kevin Duffy (FG) said it was “great” that the area had been identified for an active travel scheme and a Safe Routes to School programme, but there was a need to impress upon the NTA to “move this along.”

It would also be useful if the council could determine “the timeline for a Part 8”, Cllr Duffy said, pointing out that the new school is due for completion within the next 12 months.

Responding to councillors, a council official said this project was “one step forward, two steps back”, but the council was ready to meet with the NTA again with proposals.

A report issued by the council stated that the junction forms part of the Monasterevin Active Travel Scheme, which is currently at the preliminary design stage.

The report concluded by stating that when a layout for the junction is agreed with the National Transport Authority, the scheme will be brought forward for a public consultation process.