Road Opening Licences

A person who wishes to open a public road or footpath for any purpose must obtain a road opening licence.

Application forms are available at Rathstewart, Athy, Co. Kildare, or can be downloaded here

Certificates of roads and services in charge

The Council issues, on request and on payment of a fee of £25, certificates of roads and services being in its charge.

Temporary Closing of Roads

The Council has power to temporarily close public roads for road races or other events, to permit the carrying out of works, or for any other purpose.

The regulations relating to the temporary closing of roads require the publication of two notices -

(1) a notice of intention to temporarily close the road

(2) a notice of the decision to temporarily close the road

The notice of intention must allow for objections to be made in writing to the road authority within a specific period being not less than 3 days from the date of publication of the notice. The road authority must consider any objections received and not withdrawn.

Hackney and taxi licensing

Athy Town Council is the licensing authority for taxis and hackneys.

Taxi licences may only be issued where taximeter areas are designated in the functional area of the Council. Such areas may be created by resolution of the Council. There are no such areas at September 2003.

Hackney licences are available at a cost of €254 for a new licence and €127 for renewal, subject to certificates in respect of the driver and vehicle from the Gardaí being produced. Note that new licences are only available at times when the Council is open for their issue. Interested persons should enquire from the Council as to the current position.

Application Forms are available here...

Rights of way

The Council has a general obligation to protect public rights of way, and members of the public may request it to do so. However rights of way may also be closed where it is considered appropriate. The closure of a right of way must be preceded by public notices, and if the Council considers it appropriate, a public inquiry.

Unauthorised signs, caravans, vehicles on public roads

A road authority has power to remove unauthorised signs on public roads; also, unauthorised caravans, vehicles etc. used for advertising, the sale of goods or the provision of services on public roads. It must return to the owner any sign, caravan, vehicle etc. removed by it, but can seek to recoup any reasonable costs incurred by it. However, disposal by the road authority is permitted in certain circumstances.