Local Residents Demand Urgent Repairs To Crumbling Rural Road In South Kildare With Massive Potholes

One resident said that despite temporary "patchwork repairs", the road has deteriorated to the point where vehicles are sustaining damage to tyres, shocks, and other components.

Residents in a rural area of South Kildare are calling on Kildare County Council to take immediate action on the worsening state of their local roads, which they say have been neglected for decades.

Speaking to Kfm, frustrated resident Nicole Wietzorek, who has been in contact with the council for years, describes the L8095 Plunketstown road as “completely eroded,” making it nearly impassable for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Despite temporary "patchwork repairs", the road has deteriorated to the point where vehicles are sustaining damage to tyres, shocks, and other components.

She said: “The roads in my area are so degraded that every time I try to drive to work or run errands, I end up with all my tyres on an unsurfaced road." She added: “The stretch of road at Tankardstown, where there is a dangerous set of potholes, and at Glowens, where 26 potholes have reappeared, have not been resurfaced" in many years

Concerned locals have taken it upon themselves to put up warning signs, but they insist that this is not a long-term solution.

They are demanding clear answers from the council about when full resurfacing will take place, rather than another round of "temporary repairs".

Adding to residents' frustration, they claim that while their roads have been left in disrepair, other areas - particularly around Naas - receive regular roadworks and funding.

The L8095 road serves as a key route connecting Athy, Castledermot, Baltinglass, Rathvilly, and Tullow.

It is frequently used by local traffic, farm vehicles, and construction transport linked to infrastructure projects.

In light of the ongoing deterioration, some residents are now seeking cost reimbursements for vehicle damages caused by the poor road conditions. They warn that if action is not taken urgently, the risk of accidents and injuries will only increase.

In response to queries from Kfm, a council spokesperson said the Athy Municipal District office have carried out "some temporary repairs" on the L8095 and will shortly carry out repairs on the L80952 - Tertiary road.  

They said the L8095 is included on the three-year re-surfacing programme subject to funding.

"There is in excess of 700km of public road in the Athy Municipal District. The annual roads programme allows for approximately 20km of restoration improvement works per annum and a further 30km of road maintenance works in the municipal district."

They added that the tertiary road (L08952) may qualify for the Community Improvement Scheme (CIS) and Kildare County Council will "engage with landowners" in this regard.