Area Council Meetings : Replies to Notices of Motion January 17th 2006

With reference to Notice of Motion no.6 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“I am requesting the Planning Authority Section of Clare County Council to commence implementing the plans for a ring road around Sixmilebridge.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Planning Section will liase with the Road Design Section and consider in the context of the review of the South Clare local Area Plan, and the zoning in Sixmilebridge, a programme for bringing forward the implementation of the proposed ring road for Sixmilebridge.

Graham Webb
Acting Senior Planner
Economic Development & Planning

With reference to Notice of Motion no.8 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That a pedestrian crossing be provided at the Square in Sixmilebridge.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

It is not possible to provide a pedestrian crossing from the car park to the supermarket given the current geometric layout of the entrance and exit to the car park. The forward visibility available to motorists of the proposed crossing would be substandard due to the vertical alignment of the road at the bridge, and the close proximity of the junction between the main street and the Limerick road.

The provision of a pedestrian crossing at any location is subject to compliance with Department regulations re traffic and pedestrian volumes. These volumes are not likely to be reached at this location. The Council is generally sympathetic to the provision of pedestrian crossings provided there is a suitable location. However, in some cases such as along the R471, within the town area of Sixmilebridge, the provision of a pedestrian crossing would result in significant loss of car parking spaces, and consequently it is likely that there would be local objections.

In circumstances such as these, the Council would have to ensure that the Departments regulations re volumes of traffic and pedestrians are met before recommending the provision of a pedestrian crossing.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.9 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That Clare County Council advise the Elected Members as to what plans they have to improve the traffic flow problems in the Shannon Town Centre area.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Council met the management of Skycourt shortly after the new traffic arrangements commenced. We discussed the problems which had arisen particularly at the left in/left out junction. As a follow up to this meeting, the Council contacted the Consulting Engineers responsible for designing the left in/left out junction in the Shannon Town Centre, and discussed a number of options which would improve turning movements for articulated vehicles at this junction, and would prevent other vehicles from making u-turns on Bothar Mor. The Consulting Engineers have indicated that they will issue a formal proposal this week to Clare County Council for approval and it is expected that remedial works should commence shortly afterwards. The Council will follow up this matter on an ongoing basis, to ensure that the above works are carried out.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.10 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“I am requesting a new sewerage scheme for the Bunratty area.
With the major development in Bunratty the current sewerage facilities are inadequate with a high concentration of individual septic tanks. I think that this process should be started as a matter of urgency.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

The current Assessment of Needs for Water Services in the County was carried out in September 2003. This Assessment of Needs was prioritised and approved by the Council and forwarded to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at that time.
Bunratty is included in the Assessment of Needs but it is prioritised at number 24 and to date has not progressed from the Assessment of Needs stage into the Water Services Investment Programme. Until such time as the project proceeds to the Water Service Investment Programme, it is not possible to appoint Consulting Engineers with the approval of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Council, however, is willing to discuss with local developers, development proposals which they may have and to seek to bring these forward in a planned manner.

Walter Walsh
Senior Engineer
Water Services

With reference to Notice of Motion no.11 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“To ask Clare County Council to upgrade the footpath from Ballinacragga to Dromoland due to the high amount of people using it.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have improvement works carried out on this footpath as soon as possible.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.12 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That the Traffic Lights at Aidan Park Junction be adjusted to give
priority to traffic from the Tullyvarraga direction.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

I have had a site meeting with the Council’s contractor for maintenance of traffic lights, with a view to improving the traffic flow from the Tullyvarraga direction. I have arranged the provision of additional vehicle detectors here, which it is anticipated will result in improved traffic flow from Tullyvarraga. The Council will monitor the situation to check that the extra detectors installed result in the desired improvement.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.13 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That Clare County Council give a report to the Area Councillors in relation to the ongoing work in the Tola Park Area.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

In 2005, Water Services Section replaced 300 metres of watermain pipe in West Tola Park. They recommenced work there on Mon 17th January 2006 and will bring it to a completion during the months of January and February.
The outstanding work consists of the installation of new individual stopcock and meter boxes and replacing a further 90 metres of pipe in East Tola Park. This work relates to house Nos. 29 to 86. ESB have nominated a contractor to install a new network and mini pillars in this estate and the commencement of this work is imminent.

Road and footpath reinstatement will be carried out as soon as possible after excavation works are completed.

Liam Murphy
Executive Engineer
Water Services

With reference to Notice of Motion no.14 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“With the growth in population in Sixmilebridge and Newmarket I am requesting that a traffic management plan be put in place.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will ask the Road Design Section of Clare County Council to include the preparation of traffic management plans for Sixmilebridge and Newmarket on Fergus, within their programme of works.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.15 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“Due to the dangerous condition of branches of trees in the Avondale Estate, Newmarket on Fergus, I am asking Clare County Council to curtail the branches to make it safe for the general public.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have pruning work carried out on these trees as soon as possible.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion no.16 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That an up to date report be provided on what progress if any has been made in resolving the issues associated with Chapel Court and Woodview Heights Sixmilebridge.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Council is presently awaiting valid applications from the developers to have both estates taken in charge. The Council had previously brought one of the developers before the Courts to secure completion of services. The court imposed fines and costs totalling €2,500 on 10th June, 2004. The works carried out on foot of the Councils enforcement action measurably improved the situation within the estate. In particular the estate road was finished to a high standard.

Incomplete documentation was submitted in relation to the taking in charge of the estates and these have been returned to the developers. It is considered that for further progress to be made both estates should be assessed through the taking in charge process. In this regard both developers will be written to by the Council seeking the submission of the appropriate applications and documentation.

Seamus Halpin
Staff Officer
Planning Section

With reference to Notice of Motion no.17 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 17th January, 2006,

“That all the landscaping adjacent to the new roundabout in Bothar Mor be completed as soon as possible.”

I wish to reply as follows:-

The landscaping works at this location will be completed as soon as possible.

Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure