Road Projects
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-10
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Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), Administrative Panel

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. I know it does not fall under his brief but he has a keen interest in supporting proper infrastructure around the country. He has visited Newbridge, County Kildare and witnessed the congestion at the bridge.
This bridge is the only entrance to Newbridge, a growing town with a population of over 30,000. There are five schools, one of which recently received permission to go to tender process next year to increase its capacity from 650 to 1,000. Another secondary school across the road has also applied to extend. That is badly needed in our town. In fact, we need new primary and secondary schools in the town. However, we must consider that pinch point for anyone who is coming into or leaving Newbridge. I struggle over that bridge twice a day. Particularly when leaving in the morning, the traffic congestion can add 30 to 40 minutes to a journey.
Given the fact that we have a lot of investment in the area close to this bridge, around Old Connell, we need to ensure there is moving traffic at all times. This is not a new topic. I have brought it up several times. Back in 2019, Kildare County Council applied for funding from the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, but was unsuccessful.
This bridge is only one quarter of the project for an outer link road, but the rest of it is practically done, so it is the remaining link. Planning permission was given two years ago for a 170 m five-span bridge, a 790 m distributor road and associated active travel links and amenity space. This project absolutely must be prioritised to relieve the chronic congestion at the existing bridge, to improve overall traffic circulation around Newbridge and to provide east-west connectivity. At present, all the traffic is forced back through the town centre. With the significant housing growth south of the river, this pressure is only increasing.
Planning permission was secured by a private company who owned the land over which the approach road to the bridge would be built. Part of that land is with An Bord Pleanála in relation to a strategic housing zone, SHZ. I know there are no such zones anymore but that land has been in the system since those zones started to apply. The company has, to be fair, made it clear that should it not get planning permission, it is willing to co-operate with Kildare County Council and the Department. I cannot see why we have a delay. Last June, the council submitted a business plan to the Department of Transport, but has heard nothing back. This project is crucial for Newbridge and the surrounding areas. As we approach Christmastime, unfortunately, we sometimes see people choosing not to come, even though Newbridge is a fine shopping town, because of the traffic congestion. I hope the Minister of State has some positive news and an update on this badly needed second bridge for Newbridge.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-10