Planned openings in walls and other barriers would provide more direct access to a mix of schools, public transport, and the Royal Canal Greenway.Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Social Democrats, and Labour councillors in Kildare are moving to delete references to proposed walking and cycling permeability improvements contained in the Draft Maynooth and Environs Joint Local Area Plan 2025 2031.The vote on the issue is expected to happen at a council meeting tomorrow (Monday).Cul-de-sacs housing estates are seen by transport and planning experts as car-centric planning which makes the walking and cycling less attractive. Modern urban design guidance outlines that improving permeability links is key for increasing activity and health via active travel, increasing mobility access especially for people with mobility disabilities, improving access to public transport and increasing social cohesion.The motions to remove a wide range of proposed permeability links from Maynooth comes after some intensive lobbying from residents in estates who do not want access points opened up for walking and cycling.It is understood that the chief executive of Kildare County Council has said in an official reply to the councillors motion that the permeability links are crucial to help reduce car dependency and promote active travel.The councillors who have motions against the walking and cycling measures are Cllr Aidan Farrelly (Social Democrats), Cllr Angela Feeney (Labour), Cllr Naoise Cearil (Fianna Fail), Cllr Tim Durkan (Fine Gael), and Cllr Peter Melrose(Social Democrats).The motions range in the number of permeability links which the councillors want to be removed, with Cllr Cearil looking for 46 links to be removed from the plan.Some residents have expressed their fears to councillors on increasing anti-social behaviour but plannerssay well-designed permeability links increase footfall and improves safety.Concerns were also raised about increasing non-residents parking in estates close to the train station in the town.A National Transport Authority (NTA) guidance document on permeability outlines how A permeable district can contribute to a range of planning objectives related to design, social integration and transport.The NTA guidance continues: Permeability can enhance the attractiveness of a neighbourhood through the provision of additional useable open space; can increase social interactions by facilitating more activity in the public realm, and can maximise the potential for walking and cycling to a range of services.