Kildare County Council urged to provide action plan to update access and parking along the Blueway
The topic was raised at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting
Kildare County Council (KCC) has been urged to provide an action plan to update access and parking along the Blueway.
The motion was submitted by Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O'Loughlin at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, May 21 last.
Cllr O'Loughlin called for KCC to implement the plan in different areas along the Blueway, including at Feighcullen, Glenaree, Rathangan, Clonbrin, Umeras, Ballykelly and Monasterevin.
According to Cllr O'Loughlin, the Blueway "is a vital amenity with huge tourism potential".
In response to his motion, KCC issued a lengthy reply via a report it presented at the meeting.
KCC said: "The Barrow Blueway Placemaking Plan (BBPP) was developed by Meinhardt on behalf of the Barrow Blueway Project Partners, KCC Waterways Ireland and Laois County Council, funded through Kildare LEADER.
"The BBPP, sets out a series of programmed and (indicatively) costed actions to maximise the success of the Barrow Blueway as a local, national and international attraction in accordance with the Blueways Ireland Accreditation Criteria of: Experience, Safety, Technical, Conservation and Environment, Access and Sustainability.
"The purpose of the BBPP is to set out a 'shopping list' of programmed and (indicatively) costed actions to meet the Accreditation Criteria, noting the focus of the BBPP is on land-side actions and primarily associated with mobility and infrastructure.
"Car parking requirements are considered in the plan and gaps where they exist are highlighted. The placemaking plan is available to download."
KCC added: "Any additional parking requirements, identified in the plan are outside the scope of the current funding.
Cllr Brian O'Loughlin, Fianna Fáil. Photo credit: kildarecoco.ie