Area Council Meetings : Replies to Notices of Motion July 19th 2005

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 5 submitted by Cllr. T. Mulcahy for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That this Council provide extra lighting this summer in all of the Cronan estates prior to the onset of Autumn / Winter.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council have made provision in the Public Lighting Upgrade Contract for Shannon for upgrading of the existing lighting in the Cronan Estate. This work will include the erection of new lighting columns and lanterns in the green areas. This work is expected to be completed by the Autumn.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 6 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That Clare County Council provide a report concerning the expansion of the Illaunmanagh Graveyard in Shannon:-

(a) What stage are the plans at?
(b) When will the new area be completed?

I wish to reply as follows:

The plans for the next phase of development at Illaunmanagh are complete and a planning application under Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 has been submitted. It is expected that a report for approval will be on the agenda for the next Council meeting in September. Subject to Council approval, tenders for the works will then be advertised. These works should commence in late October/early November for completion by the end of the year.

Monica Meehan,
Acting Director of Service
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 7 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That an update be provided on progress to convert passive green areas
throughout Shannon into active recreational areas.

I wish to reply as follows:

Through the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan, 2003, a number of key areas have been designated in the plan for open space and these include, Town Centre Woodland, Wetlands area and the Shannon Estuary. These areas account for approximately 200 acres.

In addition to the open space zonings there are 2 areas identified in the Local Area Plan for Recreation, between Tullyvarraga Hill and Ballycasey and at Drumgeely Avenue, for which the zoning objective states that lands will be conserved for recreation purposes. The area of land with this zoning is approximately 1.268 acres.

Throughout Shannon town, there is a further accumulated area of approximately 177 acres of informal open space associated with existing residential developments. This 177 acres consists of informal active and passive green areas.

Works involving the formal conversion of any of this open space into an active open space would be judged on their merits and may require the benefit of Planning permission.

Liam Conneally,
A/Director of Service,
Economic Development & Planning.

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 8 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That pedestrian lights be installed in the vicinity of the Community Hall / Parish Church in Newmarket on Fergus

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council will carry out pedestrian and traffic counts at this location to determine if a pedestrian crossing is warranted.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 9 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

Ask the Area Engineer to have the grass cut on the old Shannon to
Newmarket-on-fergus road.

I wish to reply as follows:

Verge trimming will be carried out on this Regional Road as soon as possible.
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 10 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That Clare County Council install ramps on the Cul-de-Sac road serving the Family Support Building in Newmarket on Fergus as soon as possible.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council will carry out a vehicle count and speed survey on this road to determine the volume and speed of traffic on the road. The result of this survey will assist the Council in establishing whether there is a speeding problem on this road.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 11 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

In order to ensure that the communities of Sixmilebridge and Newmarket on
Fergus are in a position to respond to The Councils policy on play areas
that meetings are arranged with local organisations and residents
associations to progress the development of play areas in these areas.

I wish to reply as follows:

Both Sixmilebridge and Newmarket have been referred to in the Shannon Area Engineer's report as potential playground locations in the electoral area. Various locations in Shannon have also been indicated. All locations require further detailed analysis.
Clare County Council will shortly print 'Guidelines for Community Groups Preparing for the Development of a Playground'. This will be the first starting point for any community. The SPC for Community & Cultural Development are currently in the process of bringing forward proposals to Clare County Council for the funding of playgrounds. This is based on the recommendations of the Play Policy Implementation Group. There are presently over 30 community groups who have expressed and registered an interest in playgrounds. This number is expected to increase. There are not sufficient staff resources to visit this high level of community groups individually. However, the possibility could be explored of holding a county information seminar for interested community groups, at some point in the future, when a definite funding stream has been identified. In the first instance, it is suggested that communities discuss indicative project proposals with the area engineer before forwarding to the Play Policy Implementation Group for consideration.

Leonard Cleary
Development Officer
Community & Enterprise

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 12 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

I request that the trees in the vicinity of Loughash Lake, Kilnasoolagh Park, be trimmed back, as the residents consider them dangerous at present.

I wish to reply as follows:

The trees in question are Poplars and are quiet tall. They are located beside the lake at the edge of the green area but are far away from any properties and in my opinion does not constitute an immediate safety hazzard. However, Clare County Council will consult with the tree surgeon to determine appropriate tree surgery at this location, should it be deemed necessary.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No.13 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

Due to the development of O'Garney Park Sixmilebridge GAA have closed
that field. There is now over 400 young people using the Cappa Lodge field
on a daily basis. I ask the Council as a matter of urgency to introduce
traffic calming measures in this area.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council are in the process of installing a pedestrian crossing at this location. The pedestrian crossing will be a zebra crossing comprising of flashing beacons and a raised speed table marked with white lines defining the walkway. This crossing will serve as a traffic calming measure and provide a safe place for people to cross the road. It is expected that this work will be completed next week.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 14 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That Clare County Council erect a sign in advance of the Drumline interchange indicating “SHANNON” at a safe distance on the Newmarket side of the old Limerick road.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council will order a directional sign for Shannon and erect it at this location as soon as possible.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 15 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

That the approach roads to Shannon be maintained on a regular basis.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council will undertake regular inspections of all the approach roads to Shannon and carry out any necessary routine maintenance works such as grass cutting, road sweeping, pothole repairs, emptying of gullies and cleaning of signs.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure

With reference to Notice of Motion No.16 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

In the context of the current review of the South East Clare Development Plan, I request that the Council take steps to rezone lands in the vicinity of Ballycar Railway Station, to facilitate the re-opening of that station to cater for parking and other such purposes.

I wish to reply as follows:

The Station House, and adjoining lands including the railway line, at Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus is currently located within the Cluster Boundary of Ballycar in the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan, 2003.

These lands are zoned Other Settlement Lands, with the objective to conserve and enhance the quality and character of the area, to protect residential amenity and allow for development appropriate to the sustainable growth of the cluster settlement.

In this regard, it is considered that should a proposal to re-open the Ballycar Railway Station be brought forward in the immediate future, the current zoning could facilitate same. It should be noted however, that the existing Station House is in private residential ownership.

In terms of the actual zoning of lands it is considered that this may be premature and should be considered at the full review of the Local Area Plan on the basis, that Iarnrod Eireann would be required to be consulted in this matter. The most recent discussions with Iarnrod Eireann over the last 11 months, would indicate that there are other stations on the Limerick line which have been prioritised, and Ballycar is not one of those.

A full site assessment would be required to be undertaken and it is advised that there are potentially a number of options available and these would require to be fully investigated before a comprehensive zoning would be applied.

The recommendation is that to zone lands for railway uses at this point would be premature and the Planning Authority will address this issue at the full review of the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan, 2003, in two years time.

Liam Conneally,
A/Director of Service,
Economic Development & Planning.

With reference to Notice of Motion No. 17 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Meeting on the 19th July, 2005,

The walls around the Square Sixmilebridge need urgent attention as the
Liscannor caps have all come loose and are a danger to the public.

I wish to reply as follows:

Clare County Council will arrange to secure any loose copings on the walls around the Square in Sixmilebridge.

Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure