Streets and roads are closed in Naas as cars make way for bikes , walkers and scooters
A coordinated effort is underway to promote walking, cycling and even the use of scooters. This is the first phase of the Naas to Sallins Greenway Project.
Through traffic is no longer permitted on the canal bank (between Abbey Bridge and Tandy’s Bridge and between Tandy’s Bridge and Osberstown Bridge) and at the Abbey Street/Basin Street junction.
Vehicles can no longer enter Abbey Street from Basin Street and plastic bollards have been erected here and elsewhere to enforce the restrictions.
Kildare County Council says the aim of the project is to “reallocate road space to deliver dedicated pedestrian/cycle facilities, both within the canal quarter in Naas and along the canal bank between Naas and Sallins.”
However access to properties along the canal will be maintained and access to Abbey Street for deliveries, parking and other reasons is possible Town Hall Lane and Moat Lane (the one way streets which link the town centre with Abbey Street and the canal area.
The work includes erecting retractable bollards and coloured surfacing at Lock N4 (near the old gasworks) along the Canal Road and at Lock N1 (Osberstown Bridge) along the Canal Road.
It also embraces traffic calming ramps on the approaches to Abbey Bridge, Tandy’s Bridge and Osberstown Bridge; road signage and road marking along with signs and bollards along Abbey Street and Basin Street.
Some road resurfacing work is also planned as well as new or improved public lighting (which will be done in line with recommendations in a report which followed from a bat survey).
A shared path, which accommodates cyclists and pedestrians will be provided as well as drop kerbs barriers and traffic management measures near the Millennium Bridge underpass.
It’s understood that the plastic bollards will be replaced with metal versions in time.
Local councillor and Naas Tidy Towns member Bill Clear said the majority of people are happy with the project.
“I’ve been working on this for 11 years,” said the councillor, who also chairs the Naas Greenway Group.
He pointed out that the traffic restrictions at the narrow Basin Street/Abbey Street junction are necessary because “the footpath is not safe, it’s just too dangerous.”
He also pointed out that a survey indicated that only 200 cars use the canal roads at peak traffic times during school hours.
Cllr Clear also said that students and pupils going to and from some schools in the town will be safer as a result of the project.
He said the project will create “a fantastic amenity”, effectively a linear park along the canal which will link in with the recently opened De Burgh Gardens and a future amenity planned for the Grand Canal harbour area.
“We now have a greenway between Naas and Sallins and the two towns are effectively joined by the greenway,” he said.