South Kildare protest group claims cycle lanes are damaging vehicles

A campaign group opposed to a cycleway on the R448 route between Moone and Timolin in South Kildare claim the infrastructure has already caused damage to vehicles.

Kildare County Council said the €1.6m pilot project - funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) - went through a full public consultation process.

However the Moone & Timolin Positive Action Group said dozens of incident have been reported where vehicles were damaged by concrete barriers placed between the main carriageways and the cycle lanes.

A member of the Group told the Leader: “There has been numerous incidents of damaged vehicles. Is it only a matter of time before there is an accident and somebody is hurt?

“As the evenings get darker, it will be very difficult to see the barriers. Many people are avoiding the R448 completely and traffic is clogging up narrow back roads.”

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Kildare Co Council said the project will improve road safety and create a link between Moone and Timolin.

The council said the scheme went through a full statutory process, including public consultation, and was amended in response to local submissions.

Surveys will be carried out on the completed cycleway to assess construction, road safety, motorist behaviour, and usage.

The results of these surveys will guide the rollout of the National Cycle Network which is aimed at delivering safer facilities for existing cyclists and pedestrians.

Moone & Timolin Positive Action Group said it aims to have more meetings with the council and the TII in coming weeks to continue raise their serious concerns about the project.

A second protest march, similar to the public demonstration in August, is also being considered.