I have obtained a breakdown on the cost of the three delayed roads projects at the recent Naas Municipal District meeting. As I’ve stated on countless occasions over the years, the Sallins bypass is vital for Sallins and taking the gridlock out of the village. The M7 widening is equally important to prevent the rat run that was worsening in Kill and Johnstown since Newlands Cross opened and that the Osberstown Interchange at Kerry Foods was vital to hook it all together.
I have been consistently keeping the pressure on for these projects to progress and Minister Donohue stated on Wednesday morning that he acknowledged the importance of these projects for the area and indeed region. I have now obtained figures showing that the estimated cost of Osberstown Interchange is approximately €16 million and of Sallins By Pass is approximately €39 million. The highest project in terms of cost is the M7 widening with a price tag of €55 million. The government need to keep their promise to deliver on these projects. These projects are not just important for the locality, but they have greater importance for the wider Leinster region and the busy Dublin-Cork motorway route.
The Fianna Fáil party has published a Bill to provide property tax relief for homeowners who are paying management fees. There are thousands of homeowners living in managed estates across Kildare, and indeed Ireland, who are paying on the double for many services. This is an issue I raised many months ago in a submission to the Revenue Commissioners during a recent consultation on Local Property Tax.
It was great to be at the launch of the new recycling facility in The Waterways, Sallins last Sunday, April 20th. Everyone involved in the Waterways development must be commended for their continued hard work and community effort which has led to this recycling facility being set up for both residents and business alike. The Waterways complex includes residential, commercial and retail elements and they have joined forces, with the help of grants from Kildare County Council as well as their own resources, to put in place a new systems which will promote and facilitate greater levels of recycling across the complex.