Caibidil:
Ábhair:
- Connectivity to Caragh - there is no cycle lane link to Naas / Osberstown roundabout. The provision of a dedicated dual lane should be seen as a vital link for the safe and sustainable transport between Caragh and Naas town and it's secondary schools.
- Regarding train connectivity, can a central site be identified as a potential station / platform site? An area adjacent to the line is currently flagged as "C New Residential". Could this site be used for a short elevated platform?
- There was widespread disappointment locally with the Irish Rail "exempt planning" GSM-R mast installed on the existing 5m high railway embankment in the village. The 30m high mast overlooks Gingerstown Park housing estate. Can this development be examined when applied to a rural village setting?
- The village is accessed via numerous bridges given the proximity of the Liffey, canal and railway. The bridges range in age from c.15th / 16th century (Caragh "narrow" Liffey Bridge) to 1794 (Digby canal Bridge) to the 1840's (numerous railway bridges). The only bridge operating reasonably well, seemingly fit for 21st century purpose, is Victoria Bridge (built 1834). Can we do something to protect our bridge heritage long term with the provision of a new, sympathetically designed bridge on the R409 adjacent to the existing protected structure? In light of a new bridge being installed, could the existing narrow Liffey bridge be dedicated to cycle / pedestrian use only?
- Can reduced speed zones be set in proximity to Victoria Bridge as this road is a direct run to Allen and Arkil Quarries and sees much heavy haulage traffic.
- The Victoria bridge area at Morristown Lattin should be regarded as an amenity zone. Access, limited parking and safe crossing areas should be provided roadside.
- The railway bridge UBC49 currently guides pedestrians under the rail line on a 800mm wide footpath adjacent to the R409. Barriers cannot be placed on the kerbside since they would hamper path users such is the insufficient width of the public path. The path also leads to an unsighted rail access track. This path is used by locals, both adults and unsupervised children accessing Raheens GAA grounds at Gingerstown. Traffic calming measures are urgently required to reduce the two traffic lanes to one lane. Alternatively, there needs to be either a widening of the bridge or the provision of a dedicated underpass for pedestrians / cyclists / wheelchair / buggy users.
- We are anxious that Twomilehouse Development engage with locals on the future plans for the "Caragh Heights" site. The building of non-residential road frontage units has not occurred in line with the main development. Indeed, the builder applied for and was granted an extension to build these units ( pharmacy / medical centre / heritage centre). The development also saw an increase from 4 to 6 housing units more recently. These six houses (rapidly built) lost all aspect of any vernacular design which was a key feature of the pre-existing design proposal. The two-storey houses do not sit well on the site and their pitches assume a far too elevated height given the local topography.
- That the water tower on private lands at the Hill of Caragh would be retained in the landscape going forward. Could this be listed as a protected structure?
- The concrete kingpost retaining wall structure which runs along the footpath on the approach to the village (opposite Apple Green service station) be removed and the existing earthen bank be battered in steps to improve the visual approach to the village.