Kildare County Council discuss next steps in preparing Clane Town Centre First Plan

The next steps of the Clane Town Centre First Plan were discussed at a recent Kildare County Council (KCC) meeting.

The matter was brought up by Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on December 1 last.

In response to Cllr McEvoy's query, KCC said in its report at the meeting: "In October, the public were asked to get involved in the preparation of the Clane Town Centre First Plan by completing a survey, sharing their views and providing feedback on how they think Clane can be developed and revitalized into a  sustainable, radiant and dynamic centre.

"766 responses were received to the survey, and a public workshop was also held in early November."

KCC continued: "The consultants are currently  compiling all data from both the public survey and the workshop with the intention to  issue a baseline report in December.

"The Town Regeneration Officer has also made  contact with local schools and has asked them to participate in the town centre plan  process.

"Following the baseline report the focus will be on town centre themes,  project identification, categorisation and mapping, with the intention of having a  second public workshop around this time also," KCC concluded.

The matter was raised by Independent Cllr Pádraig McEvoy.

The Clane Town Centre First Plan was also the focus of two separate motions at the MD meeting.

For the first motion, Cllr McEvoy motioned for KCC 'to advance improvements for pedestrian movements across the R407  Kilcock Road, Clane, alongside the preparation of the Clane Town Centre First Plan.'

KCC replied to his motion with the following:  The area close to the junction of R407 Kilcock Road and R403 Celbridge  Road has many conflicting vehicular movements.

"In order to improve the provision  for vulnerable road users, Kildare County Council can examine a reallocation of road  space to reduce the carriageway width on the approaches to the area from the  junction to Hillview Estate.

"This will assist in reducing vehicular speeds and provide a  shorter crossing distance for pedestrians."

KCC continued: "The provision of a signalised crossing is complicated due to the number of turning  movements into and out of private premises.

"The option of reconfiguring the main  R407/R403/Ballinagappa Road/Main Street and the potential signalisation of this  junction can be explored.

"It should be noted that no funding sources is available for  such extensive works and any proposals will be developed in the context of the  Clane Town Centre First Plan," KCC concluded.

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For the second motion, Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Weld motion for KCC provide a pedestrian crossing on College Road at the Woods Centre in Clane, 'in light of recent accidents at this location.' 

In response, KCC said in its report at the meeting: "The area close to the junction of R407 Kilcock Road and R403 Celbridge  Road has many conflicting vehicular movements.

"In order to improve the provision  for vulnerable road users, Kildare County Council can examine a reallocation of road  space to reduce the carriageway width on the approaches to the area from the  junction to Hillview Estate."

KCC continued: "This will assist in reducing vehicular speeds and provide a  shorter crossing distance for pedestrians.

"The provision of a signalised crossing is  complicated due to the number of turning movements into and out of private  premises.

"The option of reconfiguring the main R407/R403/Ballinagappa Road/Main Street and the potential signalisation of this junction can be explored.

KCC concluded: "It should be noted that no funding sources are available for such extensive works and any proposals will be developed in the context of the Clane Town Centre First Plan."