An Bord Pleanala
Strategic Infrastructure Division
64 Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
19th February 2014
RE: KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
M7 OSBERSTOWN INTERCHANGE & R407 SALLINS BYPASS SCHEME 2013
Dear Sir/Madam,
North Kildare Chamber of Suite 10, Osprey Business Campus, Devoy Quarter, Naas, Co. Kildare wishes to make this submission in response to the notice published by Kildare County Council on the 20th December 2013 inviting submissions in respect of the proposed M7 Osberstown Interchange & R407 Sallins Bypass Scheme 2013 to be made under Section 47 of the Roads Act 1993.
North Kildare Chamber is the largest Non for Profit Business Organisation in Kildare. We are also one of the fastest growing Chambers in Ireland with members throughout Kildare. Our mission is to work with businesses, community groups, central and local government to provide information, support and the framework that will enable businesses and their employees reach their potential in Kildare.
North Kildare Chamber fully supports and is in favour of the proposed scheme as submitted by Kildare County Council and we welcome the opportunity to make a submission to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) in this regard.
North Kildare Chamber notes Current government policies and current Regional and Local Planning policies fully support the need for the scheme. In this regard, North Kildare Chamber notes that the proposed scheme is essential because it will achieve the following:
1. Address existing inadequate connectivity between national, regional and local road networks.
2.Address inadequate capacity on the existing R407 Sallins Road.
3.Remove regional traffic from the local road network in Naas.
4. Remove traffic from the urban centre of Sallins town.
5.Facilitate planned and zoned development in accordance with National, Regional and local development plans and objectives.
6.Allow urban centres to focus on development of sustainable transport policies for shorter commutes.
7.Facilitate the development of a more balanced, hierarchical regional road network as part of Kildare County Council’s integrated transport planning objectives.
North Kildare Chamber notes that the proposed M7 Osberstown Interchange & R407 Sallins Bypass Scheme 2013 will have a net positive traffic impact on the local road network in terms of reducing traffic volumes on key sections of the local road network, particularly the ‘Western Distributor Road’, releasing capacity for local trips and public transport services and where appropriate, the reallocation of road space for enhanced cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure.
The introduction of the proposed R407 Sallins Bypass and its connection to the M7 via the proposed new interchange will provide immediate traffic relief to Sallins Main Street, effectively removing regional orbital ‘through traffic’, including HGV’s accessing the motorway. This traffic currently has to access the M7 via the Western Distributor Road and Newhall Interchange to the south or via Monread Road and Maudlins interchange to the north.
Having regard to the above, it is the opinion of North Kildare Chamber that the construction of the proposed M7 Osberstown Interchange & R407 Sallins Bypass Scheme 2013 will be in accordance with Government policy, with National strategies, with the policies of the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area, the Kildare County Development Plan, and the Naas Town Development Plan and will be consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
We welcome this proposal by Kildare County Council which will continue to promote integrated and sustainable development within the County and we trust that this submission will be helpful to the Board in this regard.
We respectfully ask that this submission is taken into account in the Board’s consideration of the proposed road scheme.
Yours sincerely,
Niall Browne
North Kildare Chamber President