Cautious optimism expressed over Kildare bridge project

Cautious optimism has been expressed by a local rep after progress was reported in relation to the proposed second bridge for Newbridge.

It follows the recent approval of €200,000 to advance design and prepare construction documents in Newbridge.

In addition, the matter was briefly discussed at the most recent Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting on Wednesday, February 18 last, following the submission of a query from the MD's Mayor, Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey.

Mayor Heavey asked Kildare County Council (KCC) the following question: "Can KCC provide an update on plans to progress the Southern Relief Road to include provision of a second bridge in Newbridge?"

Responding to his query, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The Roads Capital Projects Team are working to finalise tender documents for the appointment of a consultant to deliver this project and are also awaiting confirmation of funding from the Department of Transport for 2026."

Mayor Heavey replied that he accepted the report, and further said that he "has faith that the project is moving forward".

The Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey. Photograph credit: Martin Connelly

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'AVOID DELAY AND WASTE'

Separate to the meeting, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender yesterday (February 19 last) expressed cautious optimism regarding the progression of the second bridge for Newbridge.

Explaining his view, Cllr Pender said: "Progress on a second bridge, but clarity is now essential to avoid delay and waste."

"The recent approval of €200,000 has been broadly welcomed across the town."

He also said that while the funding "is not excessive in itself", he also warned that "how it is used will determine whether it delivers real progress or repeats work already completed".

Cllr Pender also said: “There is already an active and approved planning permission associated with this bridge.

"Under Irish planning law, permission runs with the land, not the original developer; that fact cannot be ignored."

Cllr Pender stressed that, in his view, the central issue is "whether KCC intends to reuse the existing permission and move directly toward construction readiness, or whether the project risks being pushed back into redesign and a fresh planning process".

He elaborated: "If this funding is used to adapt an already approved scheme to public infrastructure standards and bring it to tender stage, that is sensible and responsible.

"If it results in starting again, triggering new planning requirements, then people are right to question whether time and public money are being wasted."

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'NEWBRIDGE CANNOT AVOID FURTHER DELAY'

Cllr Pender further said that Newbridge cannot afford more delays: "Residents experience daily congestion; emergency access across the Liffey is constrained.

"The town has grown rapidly, but the infrastructure has not kept pace.

"A second bridge is not optional, it is overdue."

Moreover, Cllr Pender said that KCC "now needs to provide clear answers" on whether the existing planning permission remains valid, whether the land tied to it will be acquired or controlled by the local authority, and whether this funding will avoid a new planning process rather than create one.

"Announcements are welcome, but delivery is what matters," he added. "This funding must move the project forward to construction, not sideways into duplication."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. Photograph supplied by Cllr Pender

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.