Maynooth and Environs Local Area Plan (LAP)

The LAP has not yet been finalised. The amended LAP with the removal by councillors of most permeability measures went to public consultation last autumn.. The Chief Executive’s report noted the recommendation of the Planning Regulator to reinstate the measures and recommended that Proposed Material Alteration No. 33 should not be adopted by councillors

Transport is one of the most contentious sections of the LAP. Maynooth University is one of the primary generators of traffic in the town and, at the same time, is  involved in research on climate change. It is particularly disappointing that the University authorities failed to make a submission on either the draft or amended Maynooth and Environs LAP.

Climate Change

In January, fierce wildfires in the Los Angeles area of California caused more than 28 deaths and billions of dollars in damages to buildings. Fires are a normal risk to California during the summer months but this is the first time that they have been so serious during the winter season. Meanwhile In Arizona, Phoenix has had no rain since last August and groundwater supplies are so depleted that the state announced that all future housing developments in the desert would have to find some other source of water – either by purchasing or importing their supply.  January 2025 also saw Donald Trump sworn in as American president for the second time. Among his first executive orders, one was for the United States to give notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change. We shall see if his policy of “Drill, baby, drill” will end up as “Burn, baby burn”.

Ireland has not escaped weather extremes either – with Storm Eowyn causing one death and nearly 20% of the population being left without power north and south. In the future something that will affect people everywhere  is the increased cost of insurance. Insurance companies are facing a greater risk of extreme weather and will require higher premiums to enable higher payouts.

“An Immediate End to Business As Usual“

In a challenge to a decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse an application for the construction of a proposed wind farm in County Laois, the High Court delivered a judgment quashing the decision and sending it back to the Bord for a fresh determination.

In a decision which will have implication for many future developments, the High Court has stated that “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes to all aspects of society and the economy” and “an immediate end to business as usual” by consenting authorities is required to cut GHG emissions and ensure planetary survival. The Court went on to find that the pattern of refusals of proposed windfarm developments is “sabotaging” the compliance by the State with its national and international climate commitments.

Programme for Government

Maynooth Cycling Campaign congratulates Darragh O’Brien who has been appointed as the new Minister for Transport. However, it is disappointing that the agreed Programme for Government has reduced the focus on active travel which includes cycling and instead has emphasised the construction of new roads. 

Road Fatalities

The provisional figures for road fatalities in Ireland in 2024 was 174. Under the RSA definition of road fatalities, this excludes cyclists who die more than two days after the collision or other incident. While the Road Safety Authority has spun this outcome as a 4% reduction, the figure was still the worst since 2016. 

In order to  reduce the number of fatalities, the government has announced that default speed limits will be reduced on urban and rural roads in 2025, Changes to the default speed limit on rural roads  will be reduced from 80 kph to 60 kph on 7th February. It is proposed that the default speed limit in urban roads will be reduced later in the year. Local councillors will still have the power to retain higher speed limits if it is decided to be appropriate.

Cycling Without Age – St Brigid’s Day

This year the government has introduced  a new public holiday celebrating the life of St. Brigid’s. As part of the festivities, Maynooth Cycling Campaign has been asked to take part in a Pedal Parade in Sallins on Monday 3rd February at 11:30am which promotes active travel. If you are attending the parade, we hope that you will give a shout to the Maynooth Cycling Without Age trishaw. More details are available here.

Maynooth Cycling Campaign is a non-party independent local lobby group advocating for  better cycling infrastructure in Kildare. ​​