Villagers stage another ‘slow drive’ in Kill today

Kildare Deputy slates Minister Ross for "negligence in addressing regional road issues and train services”

Furious – and concerned – parents and villagers are hosting another ‘slow drive’ in Kill this afternoon, after a 10 year old school girl was knocked down and suffered leg injuries last week. FF Deputy James Lawless added his support to the protest but stated Minister for Transport, Shane Ross TD was “negligent on addressing regional road issues….and of train services to the area … and it all contributes to greater pressures on the regional road network”.

As road works continue on the N7, Kill villagers are finding motorists making the daily commute are heading through the village and taking back roads to by-pass anticipated road work delays. Last Friday saw community groups, residents and politicians take to the main street in a defiant ‘slow drive’, a tactic they intend to keep repeating until a pedestrian crossing is put in place.

Parents of children attending Kill National School joined the protest, as did members of Kill Tidy Towns, supporters of Saplings School, local sporting organisations and concerned residents. Amongst those joining the protest were Deputy James Lawless, local man Senator Anthony Lawlor, Cllrs Carmel Kelly and Fintan Brett and local FF Area Rep, Brian Larkin.

Residents and Kill Tidy Towns have repeatedly called for a pedestrian crossing in the village which has continued to grow over the past 20 years. Deputy Lawless stated there were numerous motions put before Kildare County Council over the years calling for a pedestrian crossing.

Deputy Lawless was critical of Minister Shane Ross and the NTA’s decision earlier this year to cancel the N81 upgrade from Tallaght to Hollywood via Blessington. Deputy Lawless stated the N7/M50 was at full capacity even when the current road improvements would be completed.

“The Minister is detached from reality and shows very little interest in regional road infrastructures and busy roads like the N81. The accidents at Watchhouse Cross and the incident at Kill highlights how the back roads are being used more and more frequently. This is something that many of us have been warning about for years…. The Department of Transport and Minister Ross needs to sit up and pay attention!”

Deputy Lawless debated with Minister Ross last night in the Dáil on the issue of train services to the area. “Minister Ross is equally negligent of train service” stated Deputy Lawless - and it all contributes to great pressures on the regional road network”.

Cllr Gerry O’Neill, Chair of the N81 Action Group stated it was ridiculous the pressure that N7 motorists were experiencing when there was another traffic artery out of Dublin which could service a sizeable number of commuters.

“There are motorists coming down the N7 and taking the back roads then from Saggart, Kill and Johnstown. There’s a daily ‘rat race’ cutting across from Johnstown via Beggar’s End through Watchhouse Cross* and onto Kilcullen on back roads that are not adequate for the increased traffic at peak times”.

Deputy O’Neill stated the N81 Action Group compared the NTA’s road stats compiled from 2014-2017 which were very different from KCC’s 2008 study. “KCC’s study in 2018 in advance of consultation work to upgrade the N81 stated stretches of road on the N81 had FIVE times the national average in head one collisions and FIVE times the number of single vehicular accidents. The disparity between the two reports is baffling. If the N81 was upgraded as had been planned for the past 10 years, this would alleviate some of the congestion from the N7/M50”.

The protest groups will meet today at Earls Court circa 3.50pm, and proceed up Main Street from 4pm this afternoon.

*On Monday last, yet another accident occurred at the Watchhouse junction circa 10am. There are repeated collisions throughout the year as commuters veer off the N7 to bypass Naas.