Kildare industrial park is undergoing a €100m upgrade

Some €100m is being spent on the overall project to upgrade the Momentum Logistics Park, between Naas and Newbridge.

The site, previously known as Tougher’s Industrial Estate is currently home to more than 100 businesses and over 2,000 people work there in a variety of enterprises.

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New units are being planned and there are proposals to construct more units underdeveloped land on the site, which occupies some two million square feet, which the owners say “rivals any logistics park anywhere.”

At a presentation to invited guests including politicians and Kildare County Council officials, company representatives said that businesses can grow and expand or downsize to smaller units on the site - depending on requirements.

Apart from the construction of new buildings, existing units are being refurbished as they are taken back by the company.

In some cases companies have sought to downsize to smaller premises on the site, as business circumstances dictate.

Roads and footpaths throughout the park have been rebuilt. Also created or being planned are cycleways, additional wider footpaths, lighting and landscaping. There are plans for shelters, picnic  areas , traffic calming, a five-a-side football pitch and a play area.

The company has also been in contact with the Go Ahead bus company about the possibility of providing an internal bus service and provisional bus spaces have been marked out within the park.

Sen Aubrey McCarthy told the company representatives that the public realm infrastructure needs to be increased.

Local councillors Bill Clear and Chris Pender stressed the need for a better bus service to the area and highlighted the dangers of people having to cross the dual carriageway to enter the park - though this is likely something for state bodies, like KCC, to address.

Clr Clear said if an enhanced bus service was provided in the area it would be used.

According to the owners 44% of people working there live within 15 minute drive and the r pay rates (€11.62 per hour - €16.83 per hour) are “10% above the national average.”

The company also says that there is a "higher supply" of labour available because of a lower overall demand for workers.

Palm Logistics is affiliated to Palm Capital, a European-wide property and asset management firm.

Palm Logistics also  developed the Greenogue Logistics Park in Rathcoole.