Posted online: Feb 25th, 2010

By Sinéad Flanagan
Editor

COUNCILLOR Suzanne Doyle raised the issued of sheep accessing the old N7 between Kildare and Newbridge at a meeting of Kildare area committee last week. Cllr Doyle asked that the matter be looked at by Kildare County Council with a view to eliminating access for the sheep to the road due to reported disturbances by local residents and motorists as well as posing a risk of accidents and injury on the roads.
A spokesperson for the Council said that the matter is an ongoing issue. Adding that it is related to a number of factors including: “Ballymany Interchange – the area office has experienced difficulty in cleaning the grids at this location. During the cold spell water in the grids froze which allowed sheep to cross the grids. This grid has since been cleaned at considerable cost; Colgan’s Cut – the fencing and grid is in a state of disrepair at this location. The fencing and gates were replaced late 2009. To replace the metal grid it will cost in excess of €10,000. Based on the 2009 budget the area office did not have funding available to carry out the works; Privately owned fencing – there are vast kilometres of fencing in the Curragh Area. Sheep will find any weakness in fencing to gain access.
“It should be noted that in 2006 a report indicated 26 grids were required to seal off the Curragh to sheep. Currently there are nine sheep grids installed. It costs approximately €25,000 to €30,000 to install a new grid including fencing, lighting and signage. It should also be noted the maintenance of the grids is high. Recently the area office spent over €2,500 and considerable man hours cleaning one grid. The area office does not get additional funding to maintain the grids.”