Rail Transition
That KCC map, monitor and action a transition plan for the rail infrastructure currently in place on Bord na Móna bogs and ESB and CIE rail real estate
The existing turf trains and tracks in place can be greenways to witness the biodiversity growth going forward and as tourist draws bringing revenues to local rural economies.
The Tracks are currently in situ and can be saved for green ways, at a minimum the railway embankments should be left in situ. With the wide open spaces they provide this is healthy for COVID19 outdoor activites for humans and other species dwelling on the rail infrastructure tracks
To avail of existing rail infrastructure used by Bord Na Mona, and indeed ESB, to transport peat and turf might a map of all the rail tracks be provided for consideration of future usage and collaborations from 50 years ago today and a consultation for 50 years time with the public and all stakeholders to have their vision mapped for these corridors of life
The tracks real estate to be linked up green ways and deserve to be preserved as the Rail heritage for future journeys and green jobs in line with the growth in demand for experiential tourism
The EU are funding rail heritage work see European Year of Rail 2021 will highlight rail's role in European heritage - European Heritage Tribune that KCC avail of funding and aid partnership in the planning and fund application process.
That the peatland park and nature conservancy investment at Ummeras which would follow a 3-year rewetting engineering project be supported as a Pilot and other Kildare bogs be supported and the rail infrastructure where feasible preserved
Social bog and industrial heritage History harvesting for experiential transport and tourism
That KCC harvest the archives of staff in Bord na Móna and capture the social history of colleagues, the past colleagues who generated great wealth, bringing with them sporting, linguistic and music skills to our areas. That KCC collate and record the workers social history be salvaged as part of a Just Transition to celebrate those who worked on this inefficient yet necessary energy source as part of the power use of the day to power the national and local economy in previous decades.
- that a full, and credible, environmental impact study accompanies the request for planning permission,
- that it shows that the development is sited sensitively with minimal impact on the local environment, and
- that there will be ongoing, transparent and reported, efforts to minimise the impact on wildlife – birds, bats, etc.) in transport planning
Newbridge Silver is a great example of honouring the staff in their company in their museum and visitor centre. It was the number 1 free tourist attraction in Ireland pre Covid 19.It is a superb attraction situated within walking distance of the Head Quarter of Bord na Móna. The Bord na Móna heritagedeserves similar or better. It is important to archive the staff records and not lose them. We encourage the funding of plans for the Bord na Móna protection of the Social history including transport industrial heritage
- List the rail infrastructure in the county including that in place on spaces owned by Bord Na Mona and ESB, CIE to be included as nature corridors and salvage the Rail Heritage of the county
- That KCC address road pollution and noise pollution by building a sky train. Can Newbridge cultural Quarter include a Sky Train SkyTrain Schedules | TransLink instead of compulsory purchases of land that KCC develop modern safe quiet methods of transport. The international firms in the area could use the Newbridge centric Skytrain for their logistics and good and staff transport
- That KCC build inclusive transport
- Sustainable access routes to have a bike wheeling route to glide your bike and pram/wheelchairs in to transport areas with the steps access. In other countries the bike wheel section is on the side or middle of the ramp to transport methods to help wheel transport users access the transport platforms and eleminate carrying their bikes etc.
- Green festivals and grants to community to stipulate eco products to be used and sustainable transport routes prioritised