Meetings To Take Place To Advance Athy Pedestrianisation Pilot.

Rolling pedestrianisation of Emily Square an option.

Meeting are to take place on developing a pilot pedestrianisation project in Athy town centre.

Fianna Fáil councillor, Brian Dooley, proposed that Kildare County Council "look to pedestrianise Emily Square on  Friday/Saturday/Sunday evenings from 6 pm -10 pm"

This, the motion stated, should be ready to go when restrictions allow, from June 7th.

He says that, in order to avoid formal road closures, meetings with business leaders may take place this week, to come up with a work around.

KCC's response to that motion was:
"Kildare County Council supports the use of public of public realm across Kildare as business commence reopening after Level 5 restrictions.
A Part 8 scheme has also been approved to redevelop Emily Square into a multifunctional space for the people of Athy. The commencement of this project has been deferred pending the completion of the Athy Distributor Road given the significant levels of traffic and congestion in the area. The current request to pedestrianise Emily Square, albeit on a temporary basis, would need to be cognisant of the impact this would have on vehicular movement, access arrangements and emergency access facilities.

The statutory procedures for a Temporary Road Closure must be carried out. This process requires advertising, public consultation etc. and takes approximately 8 weeks to complete, meaning the earliest the closure could come into effect would be late July/early August.

Warning signage, detour signage would be required in accordance with Traffic Management Plan for the temporary closure should it proceed. The signage will need to be put in place at suitable locations and removed at the end of each closure period. The Municipal District Office does not have the resources or the funding available to cover the costs associated with this process.

As the pedestrianisation would attract additional footfall to the area, it could lead to an increase in littering. The Municipal District Office does not have any resources or funding available for an increased street cleaning/bin emptying service.

Business premises wishing to avail of the public realm space on Emily Square can submit a S254 licence application to Kildare County Council requesting permission to use the additional public space outside their premises. The fee for the licence has been waived and each application will be considered on its merits with businesses providing their own seating/bench/tables etc which will need to be removed at the end of each day. Tourism and Hospitality businesses can also avail of grant funding through The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme to assist with offsetting these costs."

Cllr. Dooley joined Ciara Noble on Wednesday's edition of Kildare Today, on all of his motions before the May meeting of the Municipal District.

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