I’d like to commend Kildare County Council’s Strategic Projects and Public Realm Team on their vision for the village of Sallins. As we move one quarter of the way through the 21st century, we cannot ignore the challenges that exist in relation to climate change, modal shift requirements, road safety and public health.
In my view, the link to connect Phase 1 of the Grand Canal Greenway to Phase 2 is a welcome development, and one that will create a Greenway of international significance. This in turn will create a massive opportunities for local businesses, greater local employment opportunities for our children, and a much needed recreational activity in the vicinity of Sallins.
The proposed link will also create enhanced permeability for (vulnerable) road users. The proposal to design, build and manage spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability is very welcome. Greater access to St Laurence’s NS, the GAA Club, the train station, the church and parish centre is already evident with the addition of the new pedestrian bridge. The introduction of a beautiful public realm space is a first of its kind in Sallins. Civic and public realm space is good for mental health, provides safe spaces for young children and creates and enhances a sense of community.
Addressing A Few Concerns
I would ask Kildare County Council to comprehensively address a number of issues before the Part 8 is finalised. There are concerns in relation to the implementation of the plan, and the direct impact on parking, congestion and safety.
Sallins remains overburdened by thru-traffic, and the opening of the bypass has not removed enough traffic from the centre of the village. I believe Kildare County Council needs to introduce measures to counteract these unnecessary journeys through the middle of the village, and I would welcome the Chief Executive’s response in relation to this. The more cars and vehicles we can actively discourage from using the village as a “rat run”, the less congested and noisy the village becomes for those that must use it as part of their everyday journeys.
The (free) on-street parking is under considerable pressure as it stands. As the village becomes busier, residents with parking permits issued by Kildare County Council have greater challenges finding parking in close proximity to their homes. The closest car parks are privately owned and operated and therefore are not free to local residents. By substituting free on-street permit parking for private parking spaces, this is akin to a tax on affected parties. I believe there are solutions available to the local authority, and consideration should be given to any short to medium financial implications this plan may create for local residents.
The concerns in relation to traffic on Church Ave being able to join the R407 should be greatly assisted by the kerbside detection at the toucon crossing on the northern side of the humpback bridge. This 7m high double head signal pole will greatly improve safety in and around the bridge, and give traffic on Church Ave an opportunity to join the R407. For Church Ave to facilitate two-way traffic (as it currently does), the two on-street spaces and loading bay will need to be suspended, as these spaces create gridlock as it stands.
There is little evidence to suggest that the closure of the two off-ramps to vehicular traffic will lead to the congestion expressed by some residents and business owners. Creating some barriers to motorised traffic in the middle of an urban area is a positive development, and may actively discourage unnecessary journeys through the middle of the village.
Sallins has a number of dangerous conflict collision zones, and this plan addresses a number of these safety issues. Vehicular traffic going through the middle of the village should be going at no more than a walking pace. It should be noted that the two ramps were not originally designed for private car use. Moreover, the ramps were to facilitate “active travel” of the four legged variety, namely the stable of draught horses that were originally employed to pull the canal barges, laden down with agricultural produce such as cereals and timber en route to Dublin. Upon return, the hold would be filled with foot passengers, manufactured goods and sometimes wooden barrels of Guinness.
Unusually, when compared with other bridges traversing the Grand Canal, the canal bridge in Sallins was not built sufficiently wide enough to allow the towpath to continue beneath the bridge and thus the ramps were constructed to allow the untethered towing horses to cross the R407 road.
The perpendicular, and rigidly square design of the bridge off ramps which are set at right angles to the main road were designed to facilitate the passage of a handful of horses and barge crew to cross the R407 daily at walking pace. The ramps were not designed to accommodate cars, vans and trucks to make a sharp right angled turn near the summit of the bridge where oncoming traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians on the adjoining footpath are not visible to the turning drivers. (I also note that Kildare County Council conducted a swept path analysis as part of this proposal, and the proposal takes into consideration the needs of larger vehicles after the proposed changes have been implemented).
Conclusion
The arrival of the Grand Canal Greenway to Sallins is building on the ambitious plans of the past. The Leinster Aqueduct built in 1783 enabled the progress of the Grand Canal, the engineering wonder of the 18th century; the Tullow railway link from Sallins in 1883 highlighted the dominance of rail in the 19th century while the Naas Bypass, part of the M7 motorway to the south of Sallins was the first instalment in the Republic's extensive motorway network. And then in the 21st century the Grand Canal Greenway heralds the emphasis on a sustainable, accessible to all, low-impact modal travel shift, making use of a canal-side routeway which blends in with the natural and built environment.
Thank you for taking my comments on board. I look forward to receiving the Chief Executive’s report in due course.
Tuairimí
I’d like to commend Kildare County Council’s Strategic Projects and Public Realm Team on their vision for the village of Sallins. As we move one quarter of the way through the 21st century, we cannot ignore the challenges that exist in relation to climate change, modal shift requirements, road safety and public health.
In my view, the link to connect Phase 1 of the Grand Canal Greenway to Phase 2 is a welcome development, and one that will create a Greenway of international significance. This in turn will create a massive opportunities for local businesses, greater local employment opportunities for our children, and a much needed recreational activity in the vicinity of Sallins.
The proposed link will also create enhanced permeability for (vulnerable) road users. The proposal to design, build and manage spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability is very welcome. Greater access to St Laurence’s NS, the GAA Club, the train station, the church and parish centre is already evident with the addition of the new pedestrian bridge. The introduction of a beautiful public realm space is a first of its kind in Sallins. Civic and public realm space is good for mental health, provides safe spaces for young children and creates and enhances a sense of community.
Addressing A Few Concerns
I would ask Kildare County Council to comprehensively address a number of issues before the Part 8 is finalised. There are concerns in relation to the implementation of the plan, and the direct impact on parking, congestion and safety.
Sallins remains overburdened by thru-traffic, and the opening of the bypass has not removed enough traffic from the centre of the village. I believe Kildare County Council needs to introduce measures to counteract these unnecessary journeys through the middle of the village, and I would welcome the Chief Executive’s response in relation to this. The more cars and vehicles we can actively discourage from using the village as a “rat run”, the less congested and noisy the village becomes for those that must use it as part of their everyday journeys.
The (free) on-street parking is under considerable pressure as it stands. As the village becomes busier, residents with parking permits issued by Kildare County Council have greater challenges finding parking in close proximity to their homes. The closest car parks are privately owned and operated and therefore are not free to local residents. By substituting free on-street permit parking for private parking spaces, this is akin to a tax on affected parties. I believe there are solutions available to the local authority, and consideration should be given to any short to medium financial implications this plan may create for local residents.
The concerns in relation to traffic on Church Ave being able to join the R407 should be greatly assisted by the kerbside detection at the toucon crossing on the northern side of the humpback bridge. This 7m high double head signal pole will greatly improve safety in and around the bridge, and give traffic on Church Ave an opportunity to join the R407. For Church Ave to facilitate two-way traffic (as it currently does), the two on-street spaces and loading bay will need to be suspended, as these spaces create gridlock as it stands.
There is little evidence to suggest that the closure of the two off-ramps to vehicular traffic will lead to the congestion expressed by some residents and business owners. Creating some barriers to motorised traffic in the middle of an urban area is a positive development, and may actively discourage unnecessary journeys through the middle of the village.
Sallins has a number of dangerous conflict collision zones, and this plan addresses a number of these safety issues. Vehicular traffic going through the middle of the village should be going at no more than a walking pace. It should be noted that the two ramps were not originally designed for private car use. Moreover, the ramps were to facilitate “active travel” of the four legged variety, namely the stable of draught horses that were originally employed to pull the canal barges, laden down with agricultural produce such as cereals and timber en route to Dublin. Upon return, the hold would be filled with foot passengers, manufactured goods and sometimes wooden barrels of Guinness.
Unusually, when compared with other bridges traversing the Grand Canal, the canal bridge in Sallins was not built sufficiently wide enough to allow the towpath to continue beneath the bridge and thus the ramps were constructed to allow the untethered towing horses to cross the R407 road.
The perpendicular, and rigidly square design of the bridge off ramps which are set at right angles to the main road were designed to facilitate the passage of a handful of horses and barge crew to cross the R407 daily at walking pace. The ramps were not designed to accommodate cars, vans and trucks to make a sharp right angled turn near the summit of the bridge where oncoming traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians on the adjoining footpath are not visible to the turning drivers. (I also note that Kildare County Council conducted a swept path analysis as part of this proposal, and the proposal takes into consideration the needs of larger vehicles after the proposed changes have been implemented).
Conclusion
The arrival of the Grand Canal Greenway to Sallins is building on the ambitious plans of the past. The Leinster Aqueduct built in 1783 enabled the progress of the Grand Canal, the engineering wonder of the 18th century; the Tullow railway link from Sallins in 1883 highlighted the dominance of rail in the 19th century while the Naas Bypass, part of the M7 motorway to the south of Sallins was the first instalment in the Republic's extensive motorway network. And then in the 21st century the Grand Canal Greenway heralds the emphasis on a sustainable, accessible to all, low-impact modal travel shift, making use of a canal-side routeway which blends in with the natural and built environment.
Thank you for taking my comments on board. I look forward to receiving the Chief Executive’s report in due course.