Further call for temporary closure of archways in this Kildare town

A councillor for the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) has once again called for temporary closure of two archways in Newbridge, citing safety concerns.

It comes after Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender launched a petition last month calling on Kildare County Council (KCC) to close the Francis Street and Thomas Street archways off the Main Street in Newbridge.

At the time, Cllr Pender also outlined the closure request — specifically, he asked KCC to "commence the statutory process under the Roads Act 1993 and the Road Traffic Act 1994 to: publish a Notice of Intention to permanently close the arched sections of Francis Street and Thomas Street to vehicles; to carry out the required public consultation and Garda consultation; and to make the necessary orders to ensure these archway roads are pedestrian-only, with exceptions for emergency access if required".

At the latest MD meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 15 last, Cllr Pender motioned for KCC to commence the process under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 "to permanently close the arched sections of Francis Street and Thomas Street, Newbridge where they meet Main Street, to vehicular traffic".

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He also requested for KCC to temporarily close the lanes on safety grounds (pending completion of this process), but "with access for emergency services retained".

Cllr Pender's motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Pat Balfe.

Speaking further on his motion, Cllr Pender told KCC that the Area Based Transport Assessment plan for Newbridge, or ABTA plan, indicated that the lanes in the area should be closed to vehicular traffic.

"I've been told that it could add three minutes onto the journey times of some commuters, but personally, I don't care, if it means saving a child's life," he added.

Cllr Pender also pointed out that one death had taken place in the region in the past, referring to the late Ann Bathe, a mother of two who was killed on Thomas Street in 2020.

Concluding his points, Cllr Pender warned KCC: "To not close the archways would be negligent."

Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer also said that she supported Cllr Pender's points, and added that she previously used the archways in the past for school runs, but stressed that, in her view, many people are now using the archways incorrectly.

The Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said: "It should go without saying that people can still access the region through Eyre Street."

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In response to Cllr Pender's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "KCC can assess the feasibility of closing these accesses to vehicular traffic in line with relevant policies and plans."

KCC further said: "If it is deemed to be feasible, then the use of the Section 38 process to close the accesses can be explored."

In addition, KCC's Senior Executive Officer, Transport, Mobility and Open Spaces, Mark McLoughlin, was present at the meeting and told Cllr Pender that he has spoken to the Senior Engineer about the matter and he would relegate the comments made by the councillors to the Senior Engineer.

When Cllr Pender asked if the matter could be put to a vote at the meeting, Mr McLoughlin responded: "We need to see if a Section 38 is required [for this region first]."

"I will revert back to you on the temporary closure; I'm not sure if it will be feasible," Mr McLoughlin added.

Cllr Pender took issue with this, and replied: "We are doing it with another road in Kildare... a temporary closure does not require a lot of work."

This comment garnered support from Mayor Heavey, who told the representative: "It is clear that urgent action is needed."

Mr McLoughlin then told the councillors who were present that he would come back to them with an answer "as soon as possible".

Cllr Pender thanked the Mr McLoughlin for this assurance.

In addition, Cllr Pender asked KCC to place the matter on a progress report.

File photograph of Cllr Chris Pender

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