Claim that independent bookshop in Kildare is suffering because of parking dilemma

A councillor has claimed that an independent bookshop in County Kildare is suffering because of a parking dilemma.

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer made the allegation at the most recent Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, December 18 last.

Her claim arose when she submitted a motion urging Kildare County Council (KCC) to outline the steps taken to commence the town centre car-parking strategy for Kilcullen, "noting that while the original 12-month timeframe was not a strict deadline, it was identified as a high-priority short-term action intended to protect the primacy of the town centre".

Cllr O'Dwyer's motion was seconded by her party colleague, Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer.

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Speaking further on the motion, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer said that she was aware of an independent bookstore in the town "is suffering due to the lack of parking" in the region.

She also received support in the form of Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender, who said: "An additional plan is needed here; it's about time that this was progressed."

"Hopefully the timeline will happen sooner than later," the Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey, added.

Furthermore, his party colleague, Cllr Suzanne Doyle, suggested to KCC that it needs to examine data relating to the local population, in order assess the parking needs of the town's residents.

KCC'S REPLY

Responding Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The Transport Department are finalising draft parking bye-laws for Kildare town and are in the process of preparing plans for Athy.

"Parking bye- laws for Kilcullen are under consideration and will advise the members of a potential timescale as soon as available."

KCC also assured the councillors that its parking warden "will continue to monitor compliance with road traffic regulations in the interim".

Moreover, a KCC official who was also in attendance at the meeting, Mark McLoughlin, said: "We are willing to engage with the landowners to provide for parking in Kilcullen."

"If any of the councillors have suggestions [for lands and premises suitable for parking], please let me know," he added.

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.