Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
289. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the definition of what comprises general visitor traffic in the matter of the avenue at Castletown House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/24]
View answerAs it stands, the official vehicular access to Castletown House, through the Celbridge gate, was acquired by the State in 1994 along with 13 acres of land. I have already stated, on many occasions, the Lime Avenue is not for general visitor traffic to Castletown House. General visitor traffic in this context refers to vehicular traffic generated by the general public seeking to visit Castletown House and Estate for amenity or cultural purposes.
The OPW seeks only to use the Lime Avenue from Celbridge Gate to allow the staff of Castletown to access their place of work normally and to facilitate deliveries, services and blue-badge holders. It is not proposed to cater for general visitors to the site.
Use of the Lime Avenue for these purposes is estimated to not exceed 20 vehicles entering the site and the same number exiting per day during the week and considerably less at the weekend when no deliveries or works take place and only a handful of staff are rostered on. The OPW has outlined how the system of pedestrian priority has always operated in Castletown House and Estate for access for staff who park at the east of the House and for people with a disability. It is also how Castletown Estate has always operated in regard to vehicles involved in the maintenance of the grounds. This is the same system in place in St. Stephen’s Green, Oldbridge House, Farmleigh, Kilkenny Castle and many other OPW Heritage sites.
