Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion 17th June, 2008

With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That all outstanding work in Ballycasey Avenue be completed by Clare County Council;

1. Installation of lights as currently a number of poles exist that have no lanterns
2. Finish landscaping on public areas
3. Do a safety check on trees

I wish to reply as follows:-

This is a development of seven houses at Ballycasey More, Shannon which was granted planning permission in March 2002.  A complaint was received from the area office in December 2007 regarding a public lighting issue.  A site inspection was carried out in December 2007 and a warning letter issued in December 2007 on the basis of non-compliance with a number of conditions of their planning permission.  A response was received from the developer in January 2008 confirming their arrangement with the ESB to light the relevant public light standards.  The enforcement unit is liaising with the developer on all outstanding issues.

The Council has not received a Taking in Charge application in respect of this development.   It is the responsibility of the developer to complete the estate to the required standard.

Yours sincerely,

Monica Meehan,
Senior Executive Officer,
Transport & Infrastructure.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

To ask Clare County Council to repair and upgrade footpath on Ennis Road/Ballinacragga in Newmarket on Fergus.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Work will commence on upgrading and resurfacing of this footpath in the next few days as part of the 2008 Road Works Programme.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That Clare County Council would put in place a raised footpath at the back houses 49 to 51 Tullyglass Court from the black path to the school for the safety of children 

I wish to reply as follows:-

The provision of a footpath at this location is desirable and favourable, consideration will be given to including the path in the Councils proposals for footpath works.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That appropriate traffic signs be placed at both approaches to Poulawilly Bridge.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have this matter brought to the attention of the Senior Executive Engineer for the Killaloe Electoral Area.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That the roads section of Clare County Council design a solution to the serious traffic problems in Sixmilebridge that are causing public safety concerns especially in relation to the Bridge crossing the O Garney River and that work be carried out urgently

I wish to reply as follows:-

The traffic problems in the vicinity of the R471 river bridge in Sixmilebridge are caused in the main by the width restriction on the bridge, by the vertical alignment of the road which restricts forward visibility and by it's proximity to the busy 4 cross roads junction with the R462.

The long term solution requires the construction of the relief road linking the R471 with the R462 along the infrastructure safeguard line in the Local Area Plan. However the construction of this road will be developer lead and may take many years to achieve. The interim solution will involve widening of the bridge to provide 6 metre carriageway and footpaths and the installation of traffic lights at the 4 cross roads both of which will serve to improve pedestrian safety while also ensuring the efficient movement of traffic.

As the bridge is a Recorded Monument, a Protected Structure, and is located in an Architectural Conservation area any widening will be subject to strict Conservation conditions. This matter was considered recently in the context of a major planning application for a proposed development south west of the 4 cross roads. Should this proposed development get planning permission then it will be a condition of the approval that the developer be levied with a significant proportion of the cost of bridge widening. 

In summary the improvements necessary to resolve the traffic and public safety concerns in Sixmilebridge will be completed in conjunction with major developments being considered for the town.

Yours sincerely,

Eugene O Shea
Senior Executive Engineer
Road Design Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

To ask Clare County Council to install speed ramps approaching the entrance to Boheroan housing estate in Newmarket on Fergus due to excessive speed of a minority of motorists.

I wish to reply as follows:-

This road is a regional road and is within the 50kph speed limit zone.  There is a roundabout at the Eastern End of this section of road and a right-angled bend at the Western end – which helps to slow down traffic here.  Cycle lanes will be provided on the road at this location hopefully in 2009 and this will act as a traffic calming measure and help to slow down traffic generally.  It is also likely that a pedestrian crossing will be provided at this location if proposed commercial developments go ahead.  This latter measure will also act as a traffic calming measure.  The installation of speed ramps is not warranted by a general speeding problem at this location.  In fact the installation of speed ramps on a regional road such as this would in itself constitute a hazard especially for motorcyclists and indeed motor vehicles generally.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That Clare County Council put in place warning signs for drivers entering the Tullyglass Court roads that lead to the back of school concerning the safety of children

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to review the signage at this location as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 14, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That signage be erected indicating that parking of vehicles on green areas is not allowed and that offending vehicles will be towed/impounded.

I wish to reply as follows:-

In the last few years there has been a marked increase in the parking of vehicles, for the purpose of sale, on green areas beside the public road.  This is an offence under the Roads Act 1993.  This practice constitutes a traffic hazard as it distracts drives and may interfere with sight distance when the location is at a road junction.  In addition such parking may damage the grass areas and interfere with maintenance.  In this Electoral area the Council has recently begun to take action against the owners of vehicles involved in this practice.  The vehicle owners involved have immediately removed the vehicles.  It is intended to continue to pursue any offenders in future and it is anticipated that the practice will decline.

It is also the practice in certain locations to park cars on green areas due to the increasing number of cars owned by residents of some houses.  In order to assist in providing extra parking in this situation the Council brought in an off road parking scheme a few years ago where the house owner and the Council share the cost of providing off road parking spaces.  This scheme has had a good take up especially in Cluain Airne.  The Council will continue to work with residents to provide extra car parking under this scheme.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 15, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That Clare County Council contact the relevant section of authority responsible for the dangerous and unsightly concrete fencing on the perimeter of the green area near St Aidans School and have it removed

I wish to reply as follows:-

This fence is the boundary fence of the open space attached to St Aidans School and thus establishes and maintains the boundary of the school grounds at this location.  It would appear, therefore, that the maintenance of this fence is the responsibility of the school authorities.  A number of other school grounds in Shannon also have boundary fences, which similarly are the responsibility of these schools.  I will arrange that Clare County Council write to the Board of Management of St Aidans School regarding the fence.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 16, submitted by Cllr. P McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

To ask Clare County Council to install double yellow lines at entrance to Kilnasoolagh Park at the Family Centre Newmarket on Fergus due to heavy congestion of traffic at that point.

I wish to reply as follows:-

The road at this location was resurfaced recently and consequently road lining including double yellow lines will be re-marked on the road as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 17, submitted by Cllr. S McLoughlin for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That Clare County Council property sections give a report outlining the current status of Park Hall;

1. What is the current leasing arrangement?
2. Is the Hall derelict?
3. Can it be redeveloped?

I wish to reply as follows:-

Prior to the transfer of Shannon Town to Clare County Council, Shannon Development had agreed arrangements for the lease of the hall to Shannon Youth Service Council for a nominal rent.

The Council has had no input into the operation of the facility since the transfer of the town and does not receive a rent in relation to the property.

A request has been received from representatives of the committee responsible for the hall to discuss the current status and the Council will be meeting with the representatives shortly to ascertain current status and seek to address any relevant issues.

Yours sincerely,

Michael McNamara,
Senior Executive Officer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 18, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17th June, 2008,

That a circular issue to all households advising occupants of items that are unsuitable for disposal via sink units.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Where below-sink units are already in place, they should be used only for food waste which is free of all packaging and which is low in fat. The use of below-sink units should be discouraged because they cause a significant increase in the waste concentration and a significant increase in the waste loading to sewer.

In the long term, brown bins will be a much more environmentally friendly way of dealing with biodegradable solid waste.  Under no circumstances should the following materials be disposed of to sewer:

• Food waste with a high fat content
• Cooking oil or other waste oil
• Packaging materials
• Food waste containing animal bones
• Non biodegradable waste (ie anything that is not food waste!)
• Hazardous waste (eg paint, paint thinners)

Clare County Council will continue to promote this message to the public in order to prevent such waste being disposed of incorrectly.

Yours sincerely,

Maeve Ryan,
Environmental Scientist
Environment Section

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