Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion 9th September, 2008
With reference to Notice of Motion no 6, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
To ask Clare County Council due to the huge volume of traffic going through Sixmilebridge village, that the status of the road from Ballysheen Cross to Russells Cross be upgraded as a relief road.
I wish to reply as follows:-
An infrastructure safeguard has been identified in the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan for an inner relief road between the R462 and R470 regional roads. The proposed route is considerably shorter than the existing road from Ballysheen Cross to Russells Cross and could be delivered through the planning process in conjunction with the development of zoned lands for a fraction of the cost that it would take to upgrade the existing road previously referred to.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.
With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
In view of recent flooding of houses that a representative of the Planning Section of Clare County Council attend a meeting of the area Council and explain conditions that require floor level in houses to be lower than the actual site which in causing some houses especially in rural areas to be flooded.
I wish to reply as follows:-
In some cases conditions reducing the FFL of the dwelling have to be applied. This is often required in the interests of i) visual amenity or ii) residential amenity of adjacent property (to prevent the proposed dwelling being located above adjacent property). This is done on a site-by-site basis. In relation to concerns regarding the flooding of dwellings arising from a planning condition, it should be noted that septic tanks and percolation areas are usually at a much more reduced level than the dwelling. Therefore if there is a flooding issue, then regardless of the proposed FFL, permission should not be granted on site in the first instance, due to public health concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Brian McCarthy
A/Senior Planner
Planning Section
With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That a report be sought from Housing on the Shannon housing estate regeneration and house renovation program and that the report include responses and actions taken resulting from complaints arising from these works
I wish to reply as follows:-
The following is the status of Remedial Works Schemes currently under construction in Shannon:
Inis Ealga (47 houses):
DMB Construction are contracted to carry out the works which began in February 2008 and is scheduled for completion February 2009. Despite the inclement weather the project is generally progressing on schedule and is approximately 50% complete. Exterior works are approximately 75% complete.
Shannon Town Takeover (47 Houses):
Gatecastle Construction are contracted to carry out the works which began on April 14th and are scheduled for completion in late April 2009. This project is also progressing in a timely manner and is approximately 30% complete.
More than 90% of the external works on this project have been completed to date.
We anticipate that both projects will be completed on time and within budget on the basis of progress to date.
The following items present flavour of the of complaints received and actions taken relating to the projects (Please note that this a summary and not a complete list of complaints received/actions taken):
1. Concern from Susan Crampton 23 Carrig Hill re location of rear wall. The wall was relocated to avoid conflict with Ms. Crampton’s rear boundary wall
2. Martina Connery 45 Inis Ealga - alleged broken ankle when running across her back garden during construction. This matter has been referred to the contractor. It is anticipated that the matter will be handled by the contractor’s insurance carrier.
3. Concern from 28 Inis Ealga re Harris Screen being taken down by children. This issue was resolved by the contractor
4. Concern by Karen Maloney 13 Inis Ealga re her side fence being not replaced the same as others - a replacement wall was added to contract at this location.
5. Michelle Lee 67 Inis Ealga re distrubance of her garden and alleged loss of plants. The matter was reviewed and compensation for the alleged damage was considered inappropriate.
6. Chris Quinn 126 Cluain Airne, complained of lack of prior notice by builder in advance of constructing a common boundary wall. The matter was resolved following consultation with Clare County Council staff.
7. Sheila McVey 42 Cronan Lawn, general concern re works and disturbance in her house. The issue was resolved following discussions with Clare County Council staff.
8. 13 Foyle Park – bollards left inside and outside wall, water gathering and flowing/ seeping house into next door – this is currently being investigated and an update will be given in the coming week.
9. Dumping at the rear of 11 Foyle Park – this is currently being investigated and an update will be given in the coming week.
10. Damage to back entrance (58 Foyle Park) – this will be investigated and reported on in the coming week.
Mise le meas.
Nora Kaye
SEO Housing
Yours sincerely,
Anthony McNamara
Senior Executive Engineer
Housing Section
With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. J Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
To ask Clare County Council to inspect the road from Castlecrine gate down to Sixmilebridge as this section of road needs a major overhaul especially since the new watermain was laid.
I wish to reply as follows:-
This road will be strengthened and resurfaced in 2009 as part of the Councils Road Works Programme.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. G Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That Clare County Council continue the programme of works involving the cutting back of trees on footpaths and roads throughout the Electoral Area and in some cases the removal of dangerous trees and that the Councillors be provided with a report on progress to date and future planned work including some re planting where required
I wish to reply as follows:-
Following the takeover of services from Shannon Development in 2004 this Council has endeavoured to respond to the representations of Councillors and members of the public regarding overgrown and dangerous trees in Shannon. Appreciable progress has been made in this regard with tree surgery work carried out in all areas of the town in response to requests received and where action was required which generally was the case. Work of a similar nature has been carried out in Newmarket on Fergus and Sixmilebridge.
Work is on going at present in Shannon in a number of locations. It is hoped that the road maintenance budget for future years will allow for a continuation of this work including replanting where required.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That the Area Engineer provide an update on the cycle lanes programme detailing the works done and future plans.
I wish to reply as follows:-
In 2007 Clare County Council and Shannon Development decided to fund the provision during 2007, 2008 and 2009 of a cycle route from Shannon Airport to Ennis. The proposed route is from the mini roundabout at Westair, via the Industrial Estate to the pedestrian bridge leading to Tola Park and via Bothar Mor to the Old Lodge Hotel. From the Old Lodge Hotel the route is along Bothar an Chorrain and through Ballycasey via the pedestrian Crossing at the Hurlers Cross Junction on the R471, through Hurlers Cross and the pedestrian underpass to the old N18 at Clonmoney. The route then follows the old N18 through Newmarket on Fergus to Clarecastle and on to Ennis. The cycle route includes off-road cycleway, on-road cycleways and cycle "links".
In 2007 the section from the pedestrian underpass at Clonmoney to the roundabout at Newmarket on Fergus was completed. During the past few months cycle lanes have been provided, in conjunction with road resurfacing, from Latoon to Ballynacragga, Newmarket on Fergus along a 1700 metre section of road. The remainder of the 2008 work involves the construction of off-road cycle lanes from the traffic lights at Bealach Brí junction to the Old Lodge Hotel and continuing along Bothar Chorrain to the Slí Lara junction. This work is presently in progress and will be completed before the end of the year. It is intended to make further progress in 2009 towards completing the remaining sections of the cycle route from Shannon to Ennis.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion no 14, submitted by Cllr. J Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
To ask Clare County Council to reinstate the Gallows Hill Road in Cratloe after a watermain was laid
I wish to reply as follows:-
The contractor for laying this group scheme watermain has now completed the reinstatement of the road.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion no 16, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That a report be provided in writing outlining the measures needed to tackle the housing crisis in relation to the ever growing requests for accommodation in the Shannon area and also advise the Councillors on the links that exist between the HSE and the Councils housing section with regard to rental allowance provided to the private landlords for people on our housing lists.
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Housing Needs Assessment carried out earlier this year established that there are 248 approved applicants for accommodation in the Shannon Area. The Council is currently constructing 18 new houses in Cul na Greine being the final phase of the Cul na Greine development. The Council is also continuing to explore the acquisition of suitable accommodation with purchases of individual houses as part of the Housing Programme for the provision of dwellings for persons in need. Proposals are at an advanced stage for the construction of an Affordable Housing Scheme at Cluain Airne, which will provide in excess of 50 units of accommodation for persons in need. The proposed remedial works on the Tradaree Court Complex will provide in excess of 20 units of accommodation when complete. The Council has a substantial land bank in Shannon and the housing construction programme will continue subject to availability of capital funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme is being administered by the Council and persons in receipt of rental supplement for 18months+ are being interviewed and their current accommodation is being inspected under this Scheme. The HSE are providing rental supplement to persons who have made application to Clare County Council for housing and have been assessed as having a housing need. Prior to deciding on rental supplement the HSE require confirmation that the rental supplement applicant has been assessed by Clare County Council and that the applicant has a housing need. The Councils contact with the HSE is ongoing in relation to the rental supplement scheme.
Yours sincerely,
Madeleine McCarthy
Administrative Officer
Housing & Social Services
With reference to Notice of Motion no 17, submitted by Cllr. P McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That a report be presented on the areas in the area that were affected by flooding during the recent heavy rains and what steps if any the Council is taking to prevent such flooding in future.
I wish to reply as follows:-
The rainfall of approximately 39mm in one hour recorded by Met Eireann in Shannon on the evening of 6th of August was the most intense ever recorded by Met Eireann since records began. This intense rainfall was not predicted and was confined to a relatively small area including Newmarket on Fergus, Shannon, Bunratty and Ministers Cross. In Shannon the rainfall caused flooding problems in a number of locations. The worst areas affected were Dun an Óir, Lisheen and Newtown soccer pitch in Ballycasey. Both the storm water and foul water systems were put under severe strain by the sheer volume of water arising from the rainfall. However in general both storm and foul water systems coped well and flooding was not widespread. The staff of Response Engineering, who operate and maintain the pumphouses and Tradaree Wastewater treatment plant on behalf of Clare County Council, worked all through the night to ensure that the pumping stations continued to operate. The Fire Service spent several hours dealing with flooding in Dun an Óir. The extensive amount of work carried out during the earlier part of the year on drain cleaning helped in no small way to cope with the flood water and avoid more widespread flooding.
Outside of Shannon there was flooding at a number of locations including Ministers Cross (where the road was closed by flooding and the fire service was in attendance until the road reopened), Deerpark, Ballycunnen, Cloverhill, Low Road Bunratty, Hurlers Cross and Newmarket on Fergus. In the rural areas above the flooding arose due to the amount of rainfall, which fell on land already saturated with water and unable to soak anymore. This led to unprecedented run-off from land causing flooding to a number of houses and road flooding in a few locations due to the high level of water in water courses and rivers etc. In Newmarket on Fergus the amount of storm water run-off into the foul sewer drainage network led to surcharging of the system at a couple of locations causing localised flooding.
The Council will be pro-active in carrying out remedial measures where possible to prevent future flooding problems. In Shannon the Councils Consulting Engineer, who is bringing forward proposals for upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and pumphouses etc., has been appraised of the fact that a number of pumphouses were put under severe pressure during this rainfall. It is envisaged that improvements will be carried out wherever necessary at these pumping stations. Work is about to commence on improvements to the storm water drainage system in Lisheen in order to avoid flooding at 3 houses, which have been prone to flooding. Work of a similar nature will be carried out in Hurlers Cross. Some improvements to the storm drainage system have already been carried out on Low Road Bunratty, and at Ministers Cross where work is currently in progress. In Newmarket on Fergus some work has been carried out over the last couple of years to reduce the amount of storm water entering the foul sewer network and it is intended to progress this work on an ongoing basis.
I would like to acknowledge the trojan efforts of the Fire Service, the Councils outdoor staff, the Gardaí and the members of the public who helped in dealing with the flooding.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion no 18 submitted by Cllr. J Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 9th September, 2008,
That Clare County Council bring the Corcus Road, Rossmanagher, Sixmilebridge up to an acceptable standard as it has fallen into disrepair over a number of years.
I wish to reply as follows:-
I recommend that this road be considered for upgrading through the Community Involvement Scheme for upgrading of local roads.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Civic Offices
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