11TH January 2024
Local Councillor Bob Quinn (Green Party) called for the reallocation of approximately €4.8 million in funding available under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) for the Naas Town Renewal Masterplan, which remains unspent, and which there are no plans to spend, to measures that would have been covered under the Pathfinder programme.
Pathfinder is a Department of Transport national programme supported by the Climate Action Fund to deliver projects that can transform how we travel in our communities, championing sustainable mobility and urban renewal. Naas was in line to receive support under Pathfinder but was removed from the scheme late last year when it became clear that the proposed measures to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and accessibility in Naas town centre would not be complete by the deadline of the end of this year.
Quinn said at the January meeting of Naas Municipal District, which took place on Tuesday (9.1.24), that changing the scope of the URDF to prioritise measures reducing traffic congestion and encouraging active travel was within the powers of Kildare County Council if the councillors and officials worked together.
Minister Eamon Ryan, speaking yesterday at the opening of the Sallins Greenway, said that local leadership will be important in getting projects that would have come under Pathway reignited. “He has assured me,” reported Quinn, “That he would be amenable to KCC seeking new funding streams with the caveat that all the local officials and councillors must work together and be committed to getting things done speedily.”
He called for the senior leadership team of Kildare County Council to alter the scope of the URDF fund without delay so that progress can be made on improving the streetscape and joining up the active travel and sustainable transport initiatives that have already been completed.
Councillor Quinn has received a huge amount of support from many quarters for the goals of Pathfinder since it was announced that it is no longer available as a mechanism for Naas.
“The Kilcullen Road active travel scheme will be complete at the end of March, making it easier and safer for children to get to and from school on foot and by bike,” said Quinn, “The Dublin Road scheme is due to commence, but we will need to think about the section in the middle, otherwise we’re only doing the outer part of the jigsaw puzzle.
“I urge my fellow councillors to focus our minds on this and make it a priority. The improvements we want and that the people of Naas want are within reach. The URDF money is not going to be spent in the way it was intended. There is also the opportunity to make a significant contribution from Local Property Tax receipts. We cannot stand back and lose out on another tranche of money that should be being invested in the quality of life of our citizens. An absence of leadership has led us to this point.”
コメント