Category Archives: Latest News

Supporting Celbridge Town Soccer Club

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I was pleased to have been able to assist Celbridge Town Soccer Club recently when the Committee contacted me. The Club is growing in numbers and is very well supported by the Community and the large number of volunteers. I was very happy to meet the Committee to discuss their issues of concern. One such area of concern was the on-going maintenance and cutting of the grass on their pitches. The ride-on lawnmower they had was in need of replacing and the cost of replacement or having the pitches cut by a contractor was of concern to the Committee.

I approached a number of Companies to assist me in delivering a replacement lawnmower for the Club. SAP Landscaping was very supportive and positive to my engagement with them on behalf of the Club. They provided a replacement lawnmower to Celbridge Town Soccer Club at no cost. This was brilliant for the Club as it played a positive role in reducing their costs which resulted in the Committee having extra funding to invest into other projects and facilities in the Club for the good of all their members. The Club can now cut and maintain their pitches with this replacement lawnmower.

I want to thank the excellent Committee for contacting me to assist them on this issue and SAP in Maynooth for working with me so positively in delivering them a replacement lawnmower. The Club provides a great facility for the Community and it’s members. Celbridge Town Soccer Club together will all Clubs are to be complimented on their great work which is all carried out daily on a voluntary basis.

Works Being Carried Out On The Celbridge To Barberstown Road

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A number of incidents have taken place on the Celbridge to Barberstown road at the sharp bends. This has resulted in cars ending up in the ditches, the field and verges given rise to safety concerns for all motorists that use this road. After been contacted by numerous members of the public and local residents I raised this issue with Kildare County Council and I also put this issue down on the agenda for the Celbridge\Leixlip November Municipal District Meeting.

I am very pleased that as a result of my on-going representations, the Council have installed a new anti-skid surfacing at the locations where the incidents took place. They have also extended the anti-skid surfacing in areas to improve safety and driver awareness. The Council have also confirmed to me that they will be installing new signs along this section of road to assist in reducing and eliminating the number of incidents.

I hope this work will have a positive impact for all road users. I want to thank the public for raising this issue with me and Kildare County Council Staff for responding so positively to my requests. I will continue to monitor the situation along this section of road as safety to all is paramount.

Kilcock – Building A Vibrant Town Centre

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I was delighted that, following my representations,  Kildare County Council have recently set up a formal process of interacting with businesses in Kilcock town centre. This is providing a valuable forum for Businesses in Kilcock to ensure that their concerns are captured by the policy makers in Kildare County Council.

It is important that we have a vibrant town centre in Kilcock. We have seen where many town centres throughout the country have been depleted as Businesses have moved out of the town centres. Policy makers must consider what initiatives are required to keep Businesses in our town centres. Recently, the Director of Services responsible for Kilcock met with representatives of the Businesses to outline plans for Pay Parking in Kilcock. The Pay Parking By-Laws are currently being drafted and is hoped that they will go on display for public consultation in January\February 2016. The By-Laws going on display will propose a max. stay of 2 hours in the town. Currently, Kildare County Council wardens are carrying out surveys on Kilcock parking and placing leaflets with the 2 hour max. stay message. This is to increase the public awareness of the proposed policy. This will enable, and hopefully encourage, more people to shop in the town centre as the first 2 hours parking will be free of charge.

I know from my work with the Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip Businesses that once we set up proper channels of communication with Kildare County Council, it is possible to facilitate a vibrant town centre.  When Businesses approached me recently in relation to their concerns, I was delighted to have facilitated and attended a meeting between the Businesses and the Director of Services. This should have happened before now, but better late than never, and I am determined to ensure that we have regular interaction in the future and that we develop a vibrant Town Centre in Kilcock.

I have also requested Kildare County Council to look at providing park and ride facilities for Kilcock to facilitate all those that require all day parking. I have made representations to have this delivered for Kilcock as soon as is practical. A proper park and ride facility is needed for Kilcock. It would serve a dual purpose of freeing up valuable car parking spaces in Kilcock town centre and a much needed home for public transport users.

CELBRIDGE GETS AN ADDITIONAL 67X DUBLIN BUS

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12316474_198890597114908_8637973327673954799_nGOOD NEWS — CELBRIDGE GETS AN ADDITIONAL 67X DUBLIN BUS.

Following my ongoing meetings and representations to Dublin Bus. I am delighted to inform the Celbridge Commuter that Dublin Bus has confirmed an additional 67X into town from Celbridge. This service started on Wednesday 2nd December at 7am.

This is great news as this was an issue raised with me by many people and I want to thank Dublin Bus for delivering this service at my request on behalf of the commuters in Celbridge and the surrounding area.

I had another positive meeting with Dublin Bus very recently where I raised all the other issues which have been raised with me. I will continue working on the outstanding issues of concern to the public transport user. I want to thank the public for their engagement and feedback to me.

CELBRIDGE NEW LOOK CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON

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12313775_197991890538112_5275863386151377278_nCelbridge New Look Christmas Lights were switched on this evening at 5pm. I was delighted to work with the committee this year so the new Christmas Lights could be organised and put in place. We have been working on this project for months now and it’s great to see the finished product.

The feedback from the people of Celbridge to the new lights is brilliant. Thanks to the fantastic crowd who came along this evening for the party which started at 4pm with Keith Shanley who played brilliant festive music. Santa arrived at 4.30pm and was greeted by all the kids (Young & Old) At 5pm the kids switched on the New Look Lights.

Thanks to all the committee, volunteer and everyone who made this evening such a success as always. Celbridge Looks Great…. Shop Local, Enjoy the Atmosphere and Festivities

Playground Needed in Straffan

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DSC_4489 (Small)During my recent canvass in Straffan the parents discussed with me the need for a playground in the village. At present there is a number of young families living in Straffan while new families are moving into the village. This is positive for the village and with more development planed it is envisaged that the number of young families will grow. It is important as development takes place that the infrastructure and facilities are put in place. This has not been the case in Straffan with regard to facilities for children like a playground which parents are now looking to have delivered.

I am committed to working on the parents behalf and making sure that a playground is delivered in Straffan. I have already engaged with Kildare County Council and the K.W.E.T.B on this issue. I have got a very positive response and commitment to having this much needed facility put in place. I am currently engaging with the other different stakeholder in order to secure a location for the playground. This project is now advancing positively. Once a location is agreed, K.C.C will engage with local residents, groups etc through a public consultation process to get agreement. I want to thank all those that raised this important issue with me and I will keep you all updated on progress.

New Christmas Lights For Celbridge

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I am delighted to be working with the Celbridge Christmas Lights Committee. They asked me to get involved to assist them in getting new Christmas lights for Celbridge this year. We started working on this project months ago and looked at the different options that would look nice for Celbridge. We have now agreed on a “New Look” for Celbridge which you all will see very soon and we hope everyone likes what they will see. We hope the New Lights will give a greater impact and help create a nice atmosphere for the Celbridge people and business’s. This project which we have undertaken to deliver is at the request of all the people from the Community.

It is also important in the current climate that people have something to look forward to and enjoy. We hope that the New Christmas Lights in Celbridge will be enjoyed by all and will assist in attracting even more people into Celbridge to shop and have a look. The lights will be turned on Saturday the 28th November and the usual entertainment and party will take place thanks to Marie Byrne, Keith Shanley and all of our Committee. See you all on the day………….!!!!!

Section 38 In Celbridge Is Not Progressing

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Kildare County Council has just confirmed to me that the proposed Section 38 for the junction at the Liffey Bridge in Celbridge is not progressing. I have worked on behalf of all to make sure this did not progress. This is good news for all the Residents and in particular the Residents of Hazelhatch Park, Calendars Mill and Simmonstown Manor. I want to thank all the Residents and members of the public who made contact with me, attended my information meeting and the other meetings which was held. It is great to see Kildare County Council took all of the concerns on board that was raised through the public consultation process. I believe it is so important to consult and engage with the public.

I am committed to keeping the focus on the traffic issues surrounding the Liffey Bridge and associated junction and making sure a solution is delivered with the public. This is an issue that has been around for years. I will continue to pursue the proposal I put forward with the Tidy Towns three years ago and that is to remove the current footpath of the bridge and have separate canti-lever footpaths installed like Newbridge which will give improved safety to all road users. I believe this would assist in having some of the long standing issues resolved at this location.

Bus Service Kilcock

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Bus EireannOver the last number of months, together with many Bus Commuters from Kilcock, I have had regular contact with Bus Eireann to try and improve the Bus service for commuters working in Dublin and living in Kilcock. I was delighted an extra morning service leaving Kilcock at 8.10am was put in place to cater for the increasing demand. This additional service should have been put in place before now. However, I want to acknowledge the flexibility demonstrated by Bus Eireann, that once a comprehensive proposition was put to them for this additional morning service, they in turn responded positively to my representations.

In recent days, Bus Eireann have increased the capacity of the Dublin Kilcock 4.30pm evening service. This is temporary in nature. However, I will continue to provide evidential material to Bus Eireann putting the case for this service in the evening to be made a permanent and structured element of the timetable.

A regular and reliable public transport service is essential to maintain and attract public transport users. I am confident that Bus Eireann will continue to respond positively to my representations for this increased capacity to be made a permanent element of the timetable. Thanks to all the commuters that are working with me on this important service.

Celbridge Abbey Playground – More Great News….!!!!

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I am delighted to inform the people of Celbridge and the surrounding area that there is more good news for The Celbridge Abbey Playground. The playground will be opening on Saturdays starting at the end of November or early December. A new large slide will be installed in the playground at the end of this year or early next year at the latest. This is currently out to tender. I have also requested that seating benches will be installed along with additional litter bins. This is all possible thanks to St. John Of God’s, Kildare County Council and Gateway working with me to ensure this wonderful facility is extended for all families in Celbridge and the surrounding area. I worked hard along side all of the stakeholders to ensure this facility was re-opened to the public in May last.

The response from the public to this playground re-opening has been great and it is as a result of the feedback from the public that I worked with the stakeholder to ensure their requests were responded to. Opening Saturday is very positive and important which will allow everyone greater access. I want to thank all the Primary Schools for taking part in the survey with me and also the Council so we could get the input from the Children to see what equipment they wanted installed. It is very important to be inclusive and get the Children’s feedback as they are the ones using the facility. The large slide that will be installed was, by far the most popular request. It will be great now for the Children to see that there input and engagement was important, very valuable and listened to. This is another great news story and I am delighted to be part of it.

I want to again thank those that worked with me on this project as without you this would not have been possible. This is a great example of “Team” work. Thanks to the Children in all Schools for taking part in the survey. I am committed to the delivery of playgrounds and out door gym facilities for all to access.