NAAS, 9 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. The routes of a number of ring roads around Naas were discussed at the special meeting between Naas UDC and Kildare County Council this week.
They include the link from Millennium Park to the Newbridge Road. The developers of Millennium Park will construct the new road to the border of their property, with the Council bringing it from there to the Newbridge Road with the assistance of a grant of £1.5m from the Department of the Environment, representing 75% of the cost. Kildare County Council is to provide the balance. The new road is expected to be open in 2004.
Another ring road from the Newbridge road at Jigginstown Castle, via the Rathasker Road, Kilcullen Road to the Craddockstown Road - part of which is already built - will link up with an existing road at Craddockstown Estate. This is grant aided to the tune of £2.1m and will also be ready in 2004.
A third ring road, to cost £1.125m, from the Dublin Road at The Gallops to the Tipper Road is expected to be ready by 2002.
A fourth road from the Newbridge Road to the Caragh Road, will involve a new bridge across the canal (above) at Jigginstown Park/Green housing estates. The road is already partially built by the developer between the two estates (below). It is set to cost £0.675m and will be ready in 2004.
County engineer Jimmy Lynch outlined three other proposals he said council engineers will be suggesting for consideration in future development plans for the town. One is a link from the Sallins Road via Mill Lane, across the canal to the Caragh Road. This was removed by Naas UDC councillors from the last Naas Town Development Plan.
Another suggestion involved an outer ring road from the Newbridge Road via the Kilcullen Road to the Ballymore Road.
A third was to provide a new road from Devoy Barracks to the planned Newbridge Road to Kilcullen Road ring road, which would leave the Rathasker Road as it is.
 'Me and my Girl' rehearsing in Clane
CLANE, 9 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. The heat is on in Clane where the local Musical Society is in full swing into rehearsals for this year’s show ‘Me and My Girl’ which will take place in The Abbey from Saturday 17-24 March. |
Traffic worry, but councillors back development
NEWBRIDGE, 9 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. A major proposal by Newbridge Investments for the old Irish Ropes site (above) received the unanimous support of councillors at a recent meeting of Kildare County Council.
Cllr John O’Neill (right) proposed a material contravention of the Newbridge Development Plan to allow for the project, with a proviso that it would not entail a situation similar to that outside Naas Hospital where cars from the hospital are parked on both sides of the hospital road, as well as in Lakelands Estate. “We don’t want it all cluttered up,” he said.
The material contravention was seconded by Cllr Fionnuala Dukes (left) who voiced concern at the 1,700 extra cars spaces allowed, saying it poses a big traffic management problem for the town. She supported the material contravention subject to adequate traffic management being available.
“Places like Atlantic Homes Stores etc are all welcome developments, but traffic management has to be a very serious part of the proposal,” she warned.
Senator John Dardis (right)said he was ‘quite enthusiastic about it’ as it will pull some of the business back from the top end of the town. However he shared reservations re traffic which he said could be a major problem when construction is going on, unless something is done. Already, he said, traffic from the Athgarvan Road is backed up to Cox’s Cash ‘n Carry. He believed that it is about time that Newbridge had one-way streets and parking restrictions.
Concerns expressed about fluoridation
NAAS, 9 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. The fluoridation of the Naas water supply takes place at the Ballymore Plant by Dublin Corporation, a recent meeting of Naas UDC was told. However the Regional Health Board have overall responsibilities for ensuring the programme.
Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane said the Department of the Environment has set up a consultative group to look into fluoridation and who will issue a report in the coming months.
He was giving a report to a motion by Cllr Mary Glennon (left) asking the UDC to adopt a policy position on the fluoridation of water and to act on it. Mr Kirrane said the decision ‘is not ours to take’ but will have to be taken at national level.
Cllr Glennon hoped the UDC would send a submission to the Forum voicing their concern. She said there is a ‘huge body of evidence’ on the issue with many experts saying it is not necessary as a means of promoting healthy teeth. She said the use of toothpaste is far more effective. She said some research undertaken links fluoride to cancer. “We have to take it into our own hands because it effects us and our children and future generations,” she said.
Cllr Anthony Egan (right) told how levels vary from town to town and said this should be investigated. “The Act is there for 41 years and it’s time to have a look at it,” he said.
Cllr Pat McCarthy said Ireland is the last county in the EU to have such an Act in place. He believed the motion should be sent to other local authorities for approval. “Other developing countries get away with not putting it in the water. We’re getting it whether we like it or not,” he said. He said it was a personal decision to use fluoride in toothpaste. “Times have changed and a lot of knowledge has been built up.”
Cllr Charlie Byrne said some recent reports have been frightening.
The matter is down for further discussion at the next meeting of the Council.
N7 interchanges plans submitted for approval
KILDARE GENERAL, 8 February 2001: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. Plans to turn the N7 dual carriage way section to almost motorway standard have been submitted to the NRA for approval.
The plans were revealed to Naas UDC councillors at a special meeting between Naas UDC and officials of Kildare County Council on Tuesday. It is hoped the work will be completed within two years as part of the national development plan.
The plans include for a six-lane route, three lanes on either side, to the end of the project near a proposed interchange at Castlewarden. Other interchanges will go between Johnstown and Kill and on the east side of the Kill junction.
Pedestrians will be able to cross the motorway via pedestrian bridges to be built at Johnstown and Kill.
County engineer Jimmy Lynch said the present accident-prone Kill traffic lights crossing will be eliminated and the new full interchange will be moved a considerable way northwards to cater for several minor roads which currently open directly onto the dual carriage way.
There will be no direct access to the main road from Johnstown village, as at present, with motorists having to drive on a new road parallel to the N7 to a planned new roundabout at Concrete Pipes which will then provide access via the existing Maudlins interchange to the N7.
Naas needs three more schools, councillors told
NAAS, 7 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. Naas needs two more primary schools and a third secondary school to cope with further demand. That was the concensus view of representatives from all the town’s schools who met with Naas UDC last week.
The meeting took place following a motion by Cllr Timmy Conway (right) that the Council set a time to consider the educational needs of the town.
Although almost all councillors had previously said the meeting should be held in public session, it took place behind closed doors as the Council had been told by some of the representatives that they would prefer it that way.
In discussions that lasted over three and a half hours, the Council heard that the possibility of making the schools co-educational had never been officially discussed between the schools. It was noted that single sex schools are creating some of the traffic problems in the town as parents criss-cross Naas to drop children off at different schools. The problem of space in schools was also discussed as there are over 20 prefabs currently in use in Naas schools.
It is believed there are another 200 children from Naas in schools outside the town who would be eligible if they could get a place in Naas schools.
While there was a blip in the number of Baptisms in 1998, the signs are that numbers are increasing again.
Naas UDC currently has land on the Rathasker Road, Newbridge Road and on the Craddockstown Road from the Naas Town Development Plan 1999.
Councillors were told that the Convent secondary school was now limiting its intake of new students from outside the town to just ten primary schools in the immediate area, subject to places having already been provided for siblings and children of former students. It was also disclosed that advance enrollments for the Year 2010 were already in double figures. The Convent primary currently caters for some 900 pupils and there are currently 800 pupils in St Mary’s College.
This year saw a total of 773 boys enrolled in Naas CBS secondary school which was built for just 600 pupils. An extension would allow this rise to 900, understood to be most the school could take. A move by the adjacent St Corban’s CBS primary school to a different location, would allow the secondary school expand.
St Patrick’s Post Primary School (above) hopes to hear shortly whether the Department of Education will sanction plans to move the college to a 10-acre site on Oldtown Demesne.
A new Church of Ireland school would be in a position to take up to 49% of its pupils from other religions. The school is currently located on a restricted site on the Dublin Road (above), and has plans to relocate to another area of the town.
Councillor wants special case tenant purchase scheme
NAAS, 6 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC Cllr Charlie Byrne has asked Environment and Local Government Minister Noel Dempsey to provide a ‘special case’ tenant purchase scheme for people living in local authority houses whose parents did not avail of earlier schemes.
Cllr Byrne says that these people missed the boat and are not properly catered for by the current scheme, which requires a mountain of paper work and the applicant being turned down by other lending institutions.
He feels that such longterm or second generation tenants shouldn’t have to go through all this to own their home, and he believes that the provision of a special case scheme would be advantageous to the local authority itself. "If the tenant was put on the purchase scheme, all the maintenance would be taken away from the Urban Council as it would be the purchaser’s house," he says. "They would also be able to leave it to their next of kin, which could mean somebody else not going on the housing list."
Under the current tenant purchase scheme, tenants have to be turned down by at least two lending institutions before they can go to the Council for a loan. "You get a massive amount of application forms and you get very little response as to how your loan is progressing," he says, adding that it can take several months to go through the system.
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Noel dreams of owning his home
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Noel Donoghue of Patrician Avenue dreams of owning the house he has called home since the family moved there from New Row thirty years ago. The house is owned by Naas UDC.Taoiseach lauds new Kildare tourist brochure
KILDARE GENERAL, 5 February 2001: by Brian Byrne. Pictured at the recent Holiday Fair at the Dublin RDS to promote Kildare as an out of Dublin attraction are Karen Gorey, Director County Kildare Failte, Benita Reynolds, Tourism Executive CKF, and An Taoiseach Bertie Aherne.
Mr Aherne admired Kildare's new 'Map and Guide to County Kildare Tourist Routes' brochure and agreed that the brochure offers a great deal to attract more visitors to County Kildare. “So we should have a lot more of his Drumcondra neighbours coming to see us this year,” Benita Reynolds said afterwards.
Lily O'Brien's Chocolates supplied complimentary confectionery for all who attended the stand, which featured brochures and leaflets for many of the tourist attractions throughout County Kildare. Hundreds of brochures were distributed describing all that Kildare offers in attractions, amenities and accommodation.
The new Touring Guide of the County was devised and produced by KELT, with the assistance of County Kildare Fáilte, and is available from the County Kildare Fáilte Offices at 38 South Main Street, Naas or phone Benita at 045 898888. Visit our website for more information.
Equestrian centre contravention is passed
KILL, 5 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. Kildare councillors have agreed a material contravention of the County Development Plan for Phase Two of a development at Kill Equestrian Centre which includes a new residential development of 52 housing units in four different blocks consisting of 16 apartments and 34 dwellings.
The material contravention was proposed by local Cllr Anthony Lawlor (right) and met with uninimous approval at Monday’s meeting of Kildare County Council.
The application, which represents an extensive re-development of the centre, consists of the demolition of almost all of the existing lock of buildings - including stables, an arena, accommodation units, canteen facilities and an office - replaced with the new residential units and car parking.
Kill Equestrian Centre is to be the official venue for the equestrian events of the World Special Olympics and the new housing will help with the accommodation for the event.
In a planning report, acting county secretary Phil Hickey says in the event of planning permission being granted for the overall development, it is likely that a condition will be attached that restricts the sale and usage of these housing units for the sole purpose of providing accommodation for people utilising the equestrian facilitites on Kill International Equestrian Centre.
Kildare produce for Deauville festival
COUNTY HALL, 5 February 2001: by Trish Whelan. County Kildare has been invited to promote its produce in the French town of Deauville with which it is twinned.
Deauville is planning to hold a festival to promote Ireland on May 5-6 based around a yachting harbour in the town. The organisers say they would like to see market products exhibited such as beer, alcohol, handcrafts etc as well as entertainment over the two days. They have also contacted the Bord Failte office in Paris in relation to taking part.
In giving the news, Kildare County Council information officer Charlie Talbot `(left) said it would be ‘a good way of promoting our county’.
Cllr PJ Sheridan then urged acceptance of the invitation while Cllr Paul Kelly said the Council should make contact with people who supply the types of products referred to in order to get a wider involvement of the community.
Cllr Mary Glennon added that they should contact the County Enterprise Board and the Womens’ Network of the CEB who run small business ventures, as well as local Chambers ofCommerce to get good representation of what the county has to offer.
Senator Sean O Fearghail said the Kildare part of the venture ‘should be done on a professional basis’ and many small businesses in the county could well benefit from the trip. Cllr Jim Keane advised that a meeting of the Council’s twinning committee is due to take place shortly and the invitation should go before that committee.
Councillors have agreed to accept the invitation and immediately faxed back their acceptance.
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LEIXLIP: A proposal had been put to Kildare County Council for a Joint Venture Multi Storey car park off Captains Hill.
The Proposal was made two weeks ago and neither a business plan nor detailed design has yet been submitted, Leixlip Area councillors were told at their recent meeting.
“A multi Storey would free up other centrally located land for other development, but against that such car parks tend to be very ugly,” Cllr John McGinley commented afterwards. “Also the business case would have to be made that people would use the Multi Storey and not go to the free car park at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre instead.
The county manager told the members that the council will keep all options open, including buying the ESB land.
“It is vital for the commercial survival of Leixlip that car parks are provided as a matter of urgency, Cllr McGinley said. “We cannot afford to await the new Development Plan for Leixlip which will take about one year to complete.
MAYNOOTH: Signs are expected to be installed within 10 days banning the parking of HGV trucks in estates in Maynooth.
Councillors were informed of this at a recent Leixlip Area Meeting. "This good news will be much appreciated by residents in Moyglare Village, Meadowbrook, Meadowbrook Crescent, Greenfield Estate, Parklands and Beaufield," Cllr John McGinley said afterwards.
LEIXLIP: Kildare County Council is in negotiations with the Department of the Environment in relation to costing for the new Library Building in Leixlip, in the grounds of Newtown House. Cllr Catherine Murphy was told there is a £600,000 difference between what the Council are looking for and the amount the department are willing to sanction. The estimated cost of providing the facility outlined by the Council is between 1.7M and 2.1M.
County Secretary Seamus Stokes said that the department are seeking a more basic building, while the council feels because of its location it is necessary to have something more than this.
“Should the Department insist on this the building would have to be re-designed,” Cllr Murphy said afterwards. “I looked for a progress report on this for our next meeting given the logistics of handing over Newtown House it is necessary this is pursued with some considerable urgency.”
NAAS: Naas UDC has agreed a material contravention of the town’s development plan to allow for a car sales showroom for JD Brian Motors Ltd at the Monread Road.
The proposed site is near the Sallins Road with access onto the Monread Road.
Officials said planners were recommending the material contravention. No submissions or observations had been received following the material contravention advertising process before Christmas.
Following fears that it could end up as a supermarket or some other activity, officials explained this could not happen without another planning application being lodged.
LEIXLIP: Kildare County Council Recreation and Leisure manager Ray Bonar told Leixlip Area councillors that the Pavilion planned at the Black Avenue End of the Park is unlikely to be provided in the short term because of a shortfall in funds. The cost of the structure is estimated at £400,000.
Cllr Catherine Murphy stressed the importance of this structure. “If we are to manage traffic in the way intended, I encourage cars from Captain’s Hill and visiting teams to go to the car park at this location because the changing rooms were supposed to be there,” she said. “I suggested we needed another meeting with Dr Boylan of South Dublin County Council Parks Department to review such issues.”
NAAS: Naas UDC has agreed to review its efforts to provide ‘park & ride’ facilities for motorists as a matter of urgency.
In making the call, Cllr Mary Glennon said the Council will have to find a site for all-day parking when disc parking comes into force.
She also asked the Council to talk to private bus companies in the hope of getting a nitelink service for the town.
CELBRIDGE: Kildare North Constituency Council Labour Party will be holding the Selection Convention for the next General Election on Monday 19th February at 8.30pm in the Setanta House Hotel, Celbridge. The Party Leader, Ruair Quinn TD, will attend and address the Convention whichœwill be Chaired by the National Organiser, Pat Magner.
NAAS: Youth suicide, workshops on youth pressures, racism and social issues as well as the future development of Kildare are just some of the topics down for discussion at the Kildare Youth Conference which takes place in Naas Town Hall on February 13.
The Conference is organised by the Naas Youth Parliament.
Its aim is to provide young people with an opportunity to come together and share their views on issues of importance and to discuss their future hopes. A further aim is to promote the idea of the Youth Parliament and to encourage others to set up similar bodies in their own areas. This will ensure that young people have their say and can contribute to their local area.
The outcomes of the Conference and a youth survey will be used by Kildare County Development Board in the development of the Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultura
l Development currently being devised. The results and outcomes will also be available for anyone with an interest in youth affairs.
LEIXLIP: 10 Staff from the Roads Design Section spent the day in Leixlip monitoring the new traffic lights and taking traffic counts on Monday 5th February. The intention is to alter the lights as a result of this work to more satisfactory settings.
Similar work is to be done in Maynooth next Monday.
