Noise monitoring suggested for Kildare estate

​Kildare County Council said that ‘options are being progressed’

By Ciarán Mather Published 27th Oct 2026, 11:00 GMT The estate is located in close proximity to the M7 Motorway | FILE PHOTOGRAPH ​Kildare County Council said that ‘options are being progressed’ A decibel noise assessment during both the day and the night has been suggested for an estate in Newbridge .

The idea was put forward by Fine Gael councillor Peggy O’Dwyer at the latest Kildare -Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 21 last.

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During the early stages of this meeting, she motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to carry out the assessment with a monitoring device, in order to ‘accurately measure the noise from the M7 at Old Abbey Manor in Newbridge’.

Her motion was seconded by her party colleague, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer.

In response to Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer ’s motion, KCC said: “Options are being progressed for the completion of daytime and nighttime noise monitoring at the M7 Motorway adjacent to Old Abbey Manor.”

Following this, she emphasised to KCC that the residents of the estate ‘want a more on-the-ground assessment’ in order to remedy the issue.

Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (Fine Gael) | FILE PHOTOGRAPH EXTRA COMMENTS

Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer also spoke further on the matter after the meeting.

She told the Leinster Leader: “Under regulations, local authorities [in this case, KCC] are responsible for making and approving a county-wide noise plan.

“The aim of this plan is to develop a long-term management of environment noise from transport systems, such as major roads and railways; noise [in this case] is defined as unwanted sound.”

Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer also said: “We know that noise can have a significant impact on everyday life; the World Health Organisation has identified health outcomes from exposure to noise including sleep disturbance, mental health wellbeing, heart diseases and one’s quality of life.”