Kildare County Council Rejects Proposal for New Liffey Linear Park Entrance, Citing Multiple Challenges

Friday, 23 February 2024 10:20

By Martin Osborne

The council cited various challenges including land ownership issues.

Proposals for the construction of a new entrance at Liffey Linear Park have been rejected by Kildare County Council, dealing a blow to calls for improved access to the area.

The council cited various challenges including land ownership issues, engineering complexities, and concerns regarding accessibility along the towpath.

The proposal for a new entrance stemmed from community demands for safer access, particularly for school children in the vicinity. However, the council's assessment revealed significant hurdles that render the idea unfeasible.

In a statement addressing the matter, the council highlighted the complexity of the situation. "The creation of an entrance at this location would not be possible as some of the land is not in our ownership and there would be considerable engineering involved given the height differences and narrowness of the towpath," the statement read.

Concerns were also raised regarding accessibility, with the council emphasising that the proposed entrance would not adequately address height differences, thus failing to provide universally accessible access to the park.

The rejection of the proposal comes as a disappointment to those advocating for improved urban mobility and safer routes to school. However, the council maintains that alternative solutions will be explored to address the community's needs effectively.