Social Democrats Councillor Paula Mulroe asked the council about traffic data at a recent Clane Maynooth Municipal District meeting
Kildare County Council has confirmed it has not carried out any research into the impact of the Sallins Bypass on traffic volumes in Clane - more than five years after the road opened.
The admission came in response to a question from Social Democrats Councillor Paula Mulroe at a meeting of the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District last Friday.
Local concerns have persisted that while the bypass successfully diverts traffic away from Sallins, it may have unintentionally increased congestion in nearby towns, particularly Clane.
Residents fear the route has become a convenient corridor for drivers from northern parts of the county — including HGVs and lorries — seeking to access the M7 and M9 motorways without travelling as far as the M50.
Councillor Mulroe expressed frustration at the absence of any analysis: “My response is one of concern and incredulity that the bypass has been open since November 2019 and yet there is no data on the impact to surrounding towns and villages.”
She said ongoing motions brought before the council relating to congestion and overdevelopment in Clane and Prosperous highlight the need for better data to inform planning decisions.
“It makes me wonder how Kildare County Council can seriously plan for the traffic that will be generated by the expected increase in population in the coming decades,” she said.
“Six years is too long to be without relevant data and research into the impact of this road.”
Her concerns were echoed by Social Democrats TD for Kildare North, Aidan Farrelly, who called for a broader and more forward-thinking approach from the council
“Every 30 years the population of Kildare doubles,” he said. “We need to see a mindset shift within the council — one that looks at traffic, transport, schools, childcare, healthcare and essential utilities as part of a long-term, integrated plan.”
“It’s entirely possible that a child born today will see half a million people living in Kildare in their lifetime. Research and planning for that future should already be underway.”
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