People's lives ‘are at risk daily’ in this Kildare region

Lives are being put "at risk daily" in one County Kildare region.

That's according to Fianna Fáil councillor Paul Ward, who made the comments when he appeared by virtual means at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting.

At this meeting, which took place on Friday, December 5 last, Kildare County Council (KCC) was informed about road and traffic issues in the Laraghbryan region of Maynooth by four separate councillors during the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting.

The conversation started when Fianna Fáil Cllrs Paul Ward and Donna Phelan motioned for KCC to carry out immediate road safety interventions on the Kilcock Road at Laraghbryan, following reports from residents "who are unable to safely exit their homes due to persistent speeding".

This joint motion was also taken alongside a second similar motion, which was submitted by Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan.

In addition, the two motions were taken alongside a question from Social Democrats Cllr Peter Melrose, which read as follows: "Can KCC provide an overview of all traffic calming measures installed and results of speed limit reviews carried out since 2019 on the R148 Kilcock Road approaching Jackson’s Bridge, Laraghbryan West, Maynooth?"

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KCC'S RESPONSES

Replying to the first motion from Cllrs Ward and Phelan, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "This location is a rural setting approximately 1.5 kilometres (km) outside the 50 km speed limit zone. The speed limit of 60km / h extends past this area.

"It would not be appropriate to have speed bumps located in this rural setting so far from the town centre.

KCC also told the Cllrs that it "is engaged with An Garda Siochana in relation to enforcement of this 60 km / h speed limit".

However, KCC added that there are no current plans to carry out upgrade works at this location.

"Without knowing the exact Eircode, it may be possible for the house owners to set their roadside boundaries back to give them and oncoming traffic more visibility," KCC concluded.

In response to Cllr Durkan's motion, KCC issued the same report. 

As for Cllr Melrose's question, KCC issued the same report, but with an added sentence: "KCC installed driver feedback signs approaching this location from Kilcock advising drivers of their speed and the posted speed limit."

'RESIDENTS ARE STRUGGLING'

Speaking following her motion with Cllr Ward, Cllr Phelan emphasised to KCC that many residents in the area "are struggling with access to and from their homes."

Cllr Phelan also voiced her belief that KCC should carry out "a proper visibility assessment" of the region.

"Residents have raised legitimate concerns," she added. "I would appreciate a follow-up discussion [between her and KCC]."

Cllr Ward also warned KCC: "Lives are at risk daily here; that can't be ignored."

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CRITICISM OF REPORTS

Cllr Durkan told KCC that he "traverses the area often" and added that while he accepted that it is difficult to put in a ramp in the area, he nevertheless was dissatisfied with the response to his motion.

"Neither motion has been answered," he remarked. "It's the same 'copy and paste' report."

He also told KCC: "One thing is clear; buses are flying down there."

Cllr Melrose then weighed in on the conversation and echoed Cllr Durkan's sentiments by saying: "I also feel like my question wasn't answered."

He further said: "We have a serious issue here; it has been raised numerous times and residents are at their wits end.

"We can't continue like this. It's only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs here."

He also directly urged KCC to visit and assess the area: "It's a ticking time bomb."

Another councillor in attendance at the meeting, Fine Gael Cllr and Mayor of the Municipal District, Brendan Wyse, was also criticial of the responses provided by KCC at the meeting.

Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy also decided to give his view — he suggested that the councillors could raise their concerns about the region during their next scheduled meeting with An Garda Síochána.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paul Ward, who made the "lives are at risk daily here" comment. Photograph credit: kildarecoco.ie

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