LAWLESS CALLS FOR GREATER REGULATION OF QUARRIES

James Lawless TD spoke in the Dáil this week on a motion about quarries and their environmental impact.

James said, “While the economic activity associated with quarries can be important to counties such as Kildare and West Wicklow, rural areas suffer disproportionately from the environmental impact and deal with HGV traffic on poor rural roads. Broadford, Kerdiffstown, and Eadestown have all had to endure this. The EPA needs to be more proactive in its regulation of quarries if we are to protect our landscape and amenities such as our water supply.”

You can view the video here

LAWLESS WELCOMES OPENING OF EADESTOWN PLAYGROUND

James Lawless TD and Cllr Carmel Kelly attended the opening of Eadestown Playground today

James commented, “It was great to attend the official opening of Eadestown playground yesterday. This is the 4th new playground to be opened in the Naas district in as many years and goes back to a pact we made as Councillors in 2014 that we would ensure LPT monies were invested back into each community through new amenities. Kill, Sallins, Caragh and Eadestown have now benefited. Great thanks are due to Eadestown GAA for the use of the land to build it on.”

LAWLESS URGES EXPANSION OF NAAS HOSPITAL TO BE PRIORITISED

His comments come as Kildare County Council announce that it has decided to allow the HSE to extend the planning permission for a significant extension of Naas General Hospital. 

The extension would include a new endoscopy/day services unit as well as Physical medicine and oncology departments. 

James commented, “The extension of planning is welcome. However it also serves to highlight the HSE have stalled on this project since the original planning was granted in 2014. The endoscopy unit in particular is badly needed, I have visited the hospital to inspect existing facilities and I have raised this on the floor of the Dail with Minister Simon Harris. Whilst the planning is key and I welcome this decision, it is imperative that the HSE now press ahead with funding and concrete plans to develop this needed extension.”

LAWLESS WELCOMES COMPLETION OF MOTORWAY WORKS

James Lawless TD has welcomed the completion of Motorway works between Junction 10 (Naas South) to the M7/M9 junction.

James said, “This is a huge help to commuters who face lengthy journeys and congestion on the M7 every day. The M7 widening project is vital to improving journey times and I am glad to see it move closer towards completion.”

“This represents a €110 million investment in the area and the last phase of this is the Sallins Bypass, completion of which is expected by Quarter 1 of 2020. Having campaigned for these for many years I am delighted to see these infrastructural improvements become reality. These will also relieve pressure on villages like Kill, Johnstown and Eadestown which had developed as “rat runs” due to congestion.”

James Lawless TD expresses concerns about Eadestown Planning Proposal

I have joined with the many residents in the Eadestown area in voicing my concern of the proposed infill site in the area. You can read my full submission to Kildare County Council here

Like the residents I believe there will be serious negative consequences if the proposed development goes ahead. The excessive scale and prolonged timescale of this development will have a detrimental effect on the community of Eadestown. I have concerns regarding this development with the following matters:

•Increased traffic volume on R140
•Increased traffic volume on N81
•Nature of Materials
•Local property value impact
•Increased noise and dust factors
•Local amenity concerns and impact
•Screening proposals

This list is snapshot of my full observations submitted to the council and have asked that they be considered and examined in respect of this proposed development.