Mayor stresses need for public realm works in these two Kildare town centres

The need for public realm works was stressed by the Mayor of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District (MD), Labour Party Cllr Rupert Heather.

Mayor Heather relayed his thoughts on the necessity for public realm works to Kildare County Council (KCC) at the latest MD meeting, which was held on Friday, November 21 last.

While in attendance at this meeting, he motioned for KCC to "prioritise and advance" public realm enhancement works in both Celbridge and Leixlip town centres.

According to Mayor Heather, these works would include upgraded footpaths, lighting, signage, planting, and accessibility improvements, and would be "in line with the respective Town Renewal Master Plans".

Mayor Heather’s motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr David Trost.

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Responding to Mayor Heather’s motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The published Town Renewal Masterplans for Celbridge and Leixlip provides several priority projects for the towns.

"The 'Town Centre – Main Street improvements' project for Celbridge and 'Main Street – Thresholds for Leixlip' addresses proposals for the Main Streets, including seating and planting.

"The progression of any projects requires the identification of a funding source and resources to bring forward."

KCC continued: "The majority of projects on the Strategic Projects and Public Realm (SPPR) programme are grant funded and the principles of those funds mean that not all projects are suitable to that funding stream."

'OVER 120 PROJECTS'

"There are over 120 projects prioritised for delivery, emerging from all Town Renewal Plans and Master Plans published in Kildare."

KCC also specified to Mayor Heather that project development is "subject to funding and achieving planning consents where they are necessary".

Mayor Heather then told KCC that while he understood that there are over 120 projects prioritised for delivery, he once again stressed his view that public realm works "are needed" for both Celbridge and Leixlip.

"I think we really need to find a way forward," he told KCC.

Social Democrats Nuala Killeen, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means, also gave her view on the matter.

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She said that she was disappointed by its answer and urged KCC to provide "a more detailed timeline" for the works.

Cllr Trost also agreed with her point.

He told KCC: "The public deserves better."

In response to the comments made by the councillors, a representative of KCC who was present at the meeting told them: "Any time we do substantial works, we liaise with the SPPR team."

The representative added: "I will convey the points made here today to the SPPR team."

Labour Party Cllr Rupert Heather. Photograph credit: Kildarecoco.ie

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