Condition of signage within extremely busy Kildare car park highlighted

The condition of signage, as well as line markings, located within an extremely busy County Kildare car park was highlighted by a local councillor.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender raised the matter via  motion he submitted during the most recent Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, April 15 last.

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According to Cllr Pender's motion, he wanted KCC to outline 'the current condition and maintenance arrangements for line markings and signage within the St Conleth’s GAA Car Park and associated access areas in Newbridge, including when these were last inspected, what works are planned and how responsibility for maintenance is assigned'.

His request was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer.

TWO REPORTS

Responding to Cllr Pender's motion, KCC issued two reports at the meeting.

The first report, which was written by KCC official Pamela Pender, read as follows: "Strategic Projects and Public Realm (SPPR) have a project proposal within the Draft Town Renewal Masterplan to upgrade the car park and entrance / exits including signage.

"Delivery will require a combination of resources from SPPR and Active Travel Team, including an identified budget."

As for the second report, it was written by the MD Engineer Carthac De Brí.

His report read as follows: "The MD Office currently has no plans to carry out works in St Conleth’s GAA car park.

"However, the area will be inspected by the MD Office to identify the extent of works required."

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Speaking further on his motion, Cllr Pender told KCC that while he recognised the 'long-term plans' for the site, he nevertheless emphasised: "Right now, there are no markings, and some signs are bent from cars running into them."

"We still have to make sure that these [signs and markings] are maintained while we wait for the Masterplan designs," he added.

Cllr O'Dwyer then spoke, and claimed that she had previously raised a similar motion back in March of 2024.

Furthermore, the Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey asked KCC: "I thought we all agreed at one point to change the egress exit, what is the status of that?"

A representative of KCC who was also present at the meeting replied: "That is also part of the Masterplan, and there will be a presentation on it in the coming months."

They added: "There would be no point in doing something small [such as that] right now."

This prompted Cllr Pender to issue a firm response to the rep: "This [location] is the centre of our town and KCC needs to reflect that."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. File photograph

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