FCI raise safety and congestion concerns with narrowing of the R448 in South Kildare

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland is expressing a number of safety and congestion concerns with the narrowing of the R448 between Castlejordan and Kilcullen in south county Kildare. The road, which is the main link between the two towns and also serves as a bypass for the rural villages of Timolin and Moone.

FCI is concerned that agricultural and forestry contractors operating wide vehicles could encounter significant challenges when attempting to pass through the narrow stretch of road. Such restrictions may lead to delays in transporting machinery and materials, increase the risk of damage to equipment, and create potential safety hazards for both contractors and other road users. This could ultimately impact the efficiency of operations and add unnecessary strain to contractors working to tight schedules, particularly during busy seasonal periods.

This may drive traffic into the villages of Timolin and Moone to dodge the narrowed stretch of road which is just under 3 kilometers in length. The two villages currently benefit from minimal traffic due to the bypass, but FCI believes the new project poses a serious threat to this.

Roadworks have begun on the narrowing of the R448 between Castlejordan and Kilcullen in south county Kildare

The €1.6 million worth of modifications to the road include the removal of the hard shoulder to accommodate cycle lanes, reduced lane widths, removal of certain turn lanes, and the addition of red thermoplastic surfacing at junctions.

The removal of the hard shoulder which previously provided parking to the local football club will leave the playing pitches without adequate parking. Local cycling groups contacted the Moone Timolin Positive Action Group saying that they would not use the cycle lane as it forces them to dismount when going through junctions.

If this is the case motorists will be left without adequate room to overtake cyclists on the road as the passing distance is 1.5 metres in zones over 50kmh. This may cause congestion on the stretch road and safety concerns as it may encourage motorists to make risky manoevers.

The scheme is being introduced as a pilot, which Kildare County Council says is designed to improve cyclist safety and promote more sustainable travel in rural areas, with the intention of rolling it out nationwide if it proves successful.However FCI is worried that the route fails to connect to any major destinations leaving wider vehicles without adequate passing distance and is aware of an incident where two lorries allegedly damaged side mirrors trying to get past each other due to the road narrowing works.

While the Association is not opposed to projects enhancing safety and sustainable travel, it raises real concerns—from vehicle collisions and impassable road widths to poorly designed infrastructure that may end up endangering cyclists and pedestrians rather than protecting them.