I wish to make the following observations, which have been brought to me through conversations with local people as part of my public representative work, by local members of the Kildare Town Labour Party and through my own observations.
Social infrastructure:
There can be no doubt that the town has seen a lot of new homes built in the last number of years. However, there is a lack of necessary social infrastructure to support those houses. Consideration must be given in this plan to identify areas of the town suitable for such infrastructure and this may involve a number of different locations. I believe that every town over 5,000 population should have a community playing field/fields and I know the sports clubs in the town are under pressure with their current facilities.
Council should identify 12 to 15 acres of land for a suitable sports centre that can be run by council but provide the additional playing fields for all the sports in the town when they need that additional space.
There have been calls for a swimming pool to be located in the town and this should be investigated.
A number of people including young families have asked for the provision of a skate park and suitable locations should be investigated under the remit of this plan.
If possible, a social infrastructure audit should be carried out to identify issues around the provision of facilities within the town and as part of the final plan.
Parking:
A number of people have identified the lack of public parking facilities within and near the town and the plan should address this, map current parking and identify suitable locations where additional parking can be accommodated.
Rail fares and commuting:
Given the large number of people who use the train to commute to work, the plan should welcome the proposed new Dublin Commuter Zone, given as commentary has indicated that Kildare Town train station will be included in the zone and commuters will see cheaper fares into the future that currently experienced. Given this prospect the train station should be given priority in the development of transport infrastructure within the town. It is important however that parking is controlled and only allocated where it will not affect current local residents and current problems with such parking must be investigated within the development of this plan
GP services:
The plan must address the problems so many people and in particular those that have come to live in the town are having in accessing GP services.
School places:
It is important that the plan addresses the current issues with secondary school places, this issue will hopefully be addressed with the development of the new secondary school and the plan needs to reflect how this school will operate within the current traffic issues of the town, while developing solutions to alleviate any future problems.
Tourism Potential:
Kildare town must benefit from the massive potential of tourism that exists and can develop within the town and on its doorstep. The plan must concentrate on developing and unlocking this potential, which can assist job creation and the wonderful groups currently working in this area within the town.
Existing infrastructure:
There is a need for a comprehensive audit of existing footpaths, roads and accessibility currently within the town.
Senator Mark Wall
Reply:
Receipt of submission KCC-C127-118
Dear Senator ,
Thank you for making a submission Kildare Town Local Area Plan receipt number KCC-C127-118 to the consultation Draft Kildare Town Local Area Plan 2023 – 2029.
This email is confirmation that your submission has been received.
To avoid duplication please do not send a hard copy of this submission.
Best regards,
Kildare County Council