Late-Night Works, Machinery And Derelict Cottages: Naas Cllrs Raise Local Access Concerns

Fintan Brett, Evie Sammon and Seamie Moore all raised concerns pertaining to the area

Three Naas councillors have raised motions about access issues in the town near Abbey street.

Fintan Brett, Evie Sammon and Seamie Moore all raised various concerns pertaining to the area, ranging from late-night machinery works, the use of roads for construction traffic, as well as a cordoned-off derelict cottage which has caused access issues for local residents.

COUNCIL ENGINEER APOLOGISES AFTER LATE-NIGHT WORKS ENDANGER LOCALS

Firstly, Cllr Moore had asked for the Council to apologise and explain why late night machinery works closed off "the only exit and entrance" to nearby residents of Abbey Street, Abbey Hill, Abbey Bridge and Canal Bank "for several hours" on 14 October.

He added that it forced motorists to drive against the flow of traffic, up the ‘One Way Only’ Moat Lane, "using their flashing lights as their only safety
protection in this highly dangerous manoeuvre".

In a statement by KCC, it said that the Naas Municipal District Engineer had apologised for the temporary closure.

It added that the subcontractor "should have had the correct traffic management in place" and was spoken to by the main contractor in relation to this.

COUNCIL ADMITS ROUTE IS UNSUITABLE FOR CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

Cllr Sammon asked for KCC to provide an update on the use of the road by "construction traffic" for the building of St. Mary's College in the town.

In response, KCC stated that a planning reference condition submitted was "deemed unacceptable" as it didn't outline proposals relating to construction traffic or site entry.

It stated that the route was "unsuitable" for construction machinery, with particular concerns relating to the canal side access which is adjacent to the site.

The Council eventually sent a letter to the applicant for the construction site, and said that the way in which construction traffic was managed "had not been complied with" as part of the original planning reference condition

A site meeting was also requested to discuss the arrangements further.

CORDONED OFF DERELICT COTTAGE CAUSES ACCESS ISSUES 

Finally, Cllr Brett asked if there were plans to demolish the last cottage in council ownership on Basin Street, with the view to allowing safe one-way access to Abbey street.

Kildare County Council said architects are looking at the option of demolishing the derelict cottage located near the canal.

The house on Basin street, adjacent to Abbey street in the town, is currently cordoned off, leaving the only access point via Town Hall lane.

"From a housing delivery point of view this approach would be the most economical and effective. Architects hope to firm up on this approach after concluding consultations with internal departments," KCC concluded.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Cllr Brett says himself and other elected members have been working to clear the way for walking access in recent years:

"There's only once access [point] which is through Town Hall lane, we've talked about this loads of times.

"O' Connors Pub, when they're getting deliveries, the lane is blocked," he added.

Brett also emphasised the importance of removing the bollards from the area, something himself and other councillors have been working on recently.

"Hopefully, in my opinion, common sense can prevail and that can be done," said Brett.

The full interview with Cllr Brett can be heard below: