Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady and Bray Sinn Féin Councillor John Ward have welcomed confirmation from Wicklow County Council that the element of the proposed Safe Routes to School works in Kilmacanogue which would have impacted on the village’s 1916 commemorative garden will not proceed.
The proposed works form part of wider traffic calming, safety and pedestrian improvement measures in and around Kilmacanogue National School, as well as works within the village itself. Both representatives had raised concerns about the potential impact of the village element of the proposals on the garden and campaigned for the plans to be amended to ensure that the important community space was protected.
Teachta Brady said:
“While the traffic calming, pedestrian and safety works being progressed as part of the Safe Routes to School programme in and around Kilmacanogue National School are, of course, welcome, I had significant concerns about the impact of the proposed works within the village on the 1916 commemorative garden.
“I am very pleased to have received confirmation from Wicklow County Council that the element of the proposed works which would have impacted on the garden will not proceed.
“This garden was created by the local community, who came together as part of the centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising in 2016 to establish a committee to develop and maintain it. The committee and wider community have continued to care for the garden on an ongoing basis and hold an annual Easter 1916 commemoration there.
“Over the years, the garden has become much more than a memorial; it is now a focal point for the village and an important community space, where people come together each year to remember and commemorate those who took part in the 1916 Rising, but also to enjoy the garden itself.
“I raised this issue with Wicklow County Council and have continued to engage with the council to make the case that the garden could and should be protected while the necessary safety and pedestrian improvement works proceed.
“I welcome the confirmation that the proposed footpath through the garden will not go ahead.
“I want to thank everyone in Kilmacanogue who raised their concerns and supported the campaign to protect the garden. This is a common-sense and positive outcome for the village.”
Councillor John Ward said:
“I am very pleased that Wicklow County Council have confirmed that the element of the proposed works impacting on the 1916 garden will not proceed.
“From the outset, I have been clear that I am not opposed to the broader Safe Routes to School works in and around Kilmacanogue National School, or to the wider traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements being proposed in the village. Improving safety for children, parents, staff and other road users is important and should always be supported.
“My concern was specifically with the proposed footpath through the 1916 garden, which formed part of the works proposed in the village itself. I believed this was unnecessary and could have been avoided.
“I raised this issue directly with Wicklow County Council and campaigned alongside John Brady and members of the local community to ensure that the garden was protected.
“I welcome the fact that the council has listened to those concerns and confirmed that this element of the plans will not proceed.
“Alternatives will now be explored if required so that the same safety and pedestrian objectives can be achieved while also protecting the garden.
“The 1916 garden is a hugely important community space in Kilmacanogue and I am delighted that it will be protected.”
ENDS