Pedestrian and cycle connection between Maynooth and Celbridge

Pedestrian and cycle connection between Maynooth and Celbridge

The connection between the two towns is essential for their expected growth. Already it shows an adequate commuter flow for work (Figure 5.6). The housing situation is at a critical level in both towns and requires a good connectivity for potential overflow capacity. Due to the lack in GPs, nursery places and other amneties in both towns it is essential that an intermodal integration takes place on equal footing as both towns will have in this draft towards Leixlip.

TM O25 currently states:
"Ensure the provision of improved cycle and walking infrastructure linking Maynooth Town Centre, the Royal Canal Greenway, the train station, the proposed Maynooth Orbital Route and to Kilcock and Leixlip."
Celbridge should be added to this list.

TM A7 currently states:
"Investigate the feasibility of providing a footpath connection from Maynooth to Celbridge."
What is missing here is the cycle link, as it is stated for other connections in this draft.

Furthermore, the plan lacks in vision. The North Kildare triangle (Celbridge, Maynooth and Laixlip) as part of the urban zone of Dublin offers the potential to be an important centre for Irish development for the upcoming decades. With a university and the business campus, it offers the opportunity to become not only a centre for academics and businesses, but also for tourism and leisure at the outskirts of the capital. A potential opportunity would be also a potential merger of these towns on a 50 year time scale to create new opportunities. Required for this would be excellent intermodal connections between these three centres. While Maynooth to Leixlip is planned and Leixlip to Celbridge is included in this draft, the Maynooth to Celbridge one is missing. Due to the life-threatening nature of the current connections, it is essential that it will be put in place.