The potential for active, sustainable transport routes for leisure and commuting should be strengthened within the CDP. It would seem that about 16km return is considered a reasonable cycling commute. With the rise in popularity of ebikes and the potential for innovative solutions / incentives for their purchase, this makes commuting by bike even more feasible and now is the time to build the infrastructure. It is 7.3km between Kilcullen and Newbridge train station and 13km between Kilcullen and Naas Hospital – a 15min and 30 min journey respectively on an ebike. These routes are and can be cycled now (by adults) but they should be treated as urban and DMURs used to keep traffic speed to a level which keeps the cyclist safe.
Over the longer term, better off road routes should be developed through connecting greenways which make cycling even more sustainable and safe for younger people. Attached is a proposal which I support to connect the Corbally Canal Basin to Kilcullen, as much as possible off road. This could also link up with a route to Newbridge.
Any developments over the life of the CDP should support the development of greenways and not be an impediment to their current or future development.
Kilcullen Community Action is developing a Design Principles manual to ensure any future developments meet the needs of the community rather than be piecemeal developments with no joined-up thinking. This includes having bio-diversity measures within the built environment and ensuring built heritage and the character of Kilcullen is recognised and valued.
As a small town, Kilcullen lacks the capacity to be self-sufficient in all social and economic facilities and amenities and much of the population will travel to the two closest towns for a variety of reasons. There should be better public transport links which take account of the SDGs – environmental sustainability and recognise the impact of poverty in putting up barriers for some cohorts to participate in these facilities and amenities.
The congestion on Kilcullen Main St needs to be addressed – there needs to be a proper survey to ascertain the nature of the traffic and whether it could be lessened through making pedestrian and cycling routes to school and work to be safer. Kilcullen will not sustain parking protected cycle lands like the excellent innovation in Newbridge but cycle lanes need to be developed and cyclists need to be protected from the traffic. This will likely need parking to be taken off the street – there are sufficient spaces available at the back of the town on all roads for parking.
There needs to be more public space, green space which makes sustainable transport and community living to be more pleasant.