Calls for 'comprehensive review' of road safety on Athgarvan Road in Kildare

The new signs are a consequence of a 60kph speed limit that was introduced earlier this month on rural roads

placeholder image — The new signs are a consequence of a 60kph speed limit that was introduced earlier this month on rural roads

Pedestrians left feeling 'extremely unsafe' due to footpath width

The council has agreed to include Athgarvan Road, Kildare on a list for technical assessment, following a councillor's concerns regarding road safety and speeding in the area.

Cllr Chris Pender (SD) tabled a motion at a recent Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting calling on the council to carry out “a comprehensive review of road safety along Athgarvan Road, including an assessment of speeding concerns.”

Cllr Pender also raised the issue of footpath widths along Athgarvan Road, and asked the council to bring forward recommendations for necessary traffic calming measures and footpath improvements to enhance pedestrian safety.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Pender said that Athgarvan Road has been an issue for “quite some time.”

There was an assessment which needed to be completed in relation to pedestrian crossings, he pointed out, but there were also issues regarding the width of footpaths and other concerns.

Cllr Pender said he understood the council's position in relation to budgetary concerns, but he would still like the area to be fully assessed so that “as and when” the funding was available, the work could be carried out.

He added that perhaps small changes could be made in the interim that would support the residents living there, which included quite a number of elderly residents.

With the speed that traffic is passing, he said, and the width of the footpaths, it was leaving pedestrians feeling “extremely unsafe.”

Supporting the motion, Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (FG) said that “coming off the hill where the cash and carry used to be” was where the speeding traffic seemed to be occurring, and acknowledged that this was down to driver behaviour.

A report issued by the council stated: “Requests for traffic calming requires a technical assessment. The Municipal District Office agrees to include this location on the assessment list.

“It should be noted the list is lengthy with limited budget availability.”