Kildare County Council urged to replace bridge

A councillor representing the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to replace a bridge in Maynooth.

The request was submitted at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Friday, December 5 last, by Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney.

Specifically, she motioned for KCC to "engage with all stakeholders in the harbour area Maynooth to replace the current bridge over the canal".

CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT

Her motion was seconded by Social Democrats Cllr Peter Melrose.

Speaking further on her motion, Cllr Feeney said that the bridge had been subject to "wear and tear" over the years, while Cllr Melrose claimed that the bridge was no longer "fit for purpose".

Another representative who voiced support for the replacement of the bridge was Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan.

In response to Cllr Feeney's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting that the replacement of this bridge was included in the Maynooth and Environs Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA).

"There are currently no funding or resources available to progress this project," KCC added. "However, it is a matter for the members if they wish to write to Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail with a view to progressing this project."

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CLLR'S RESPONSE

Cllr Feeney subsequently told KCC that she welcomed the suggestion to write to Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail.

She also asked KCC: "Maybe we could work in partnership with them [to address this issue]?"

After the matter of writing a letter to both Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail was put to a brief vote, it was agreed upon by the councillors of the MD to contact both organisations.

Cllr Feeney thanked her fellow representatives for supporting the vote.

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.