Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices
of Motion November 22nd 2006
With reference to Notice of Motion no 6, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
Due to excessive speed of minority of motorists I would ask Clare County
Council to put a speed limit in place at Ballycar National School, Newmarket
on Fergus
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Council recently carried out a speed survey at Ballycar School over
a 24 hour period.
Ballycar School is located on a highly trafficked local road where the
road users would tend to be local. The Council installed flashing school
lights at the school a few years ago. Road markings reading “Children
Crossing Ahead” in place on both approaches to the school. I will
provide some extra road makings on both approaches to the school.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That an update be provided on what progress has been made on the
provision of a footbridge in Sixmilebridge.
I wish to reply as follows:-
Following public consultation in October 2005 on the provision of a footbridge
across the O’ Garney river in the square in Sixmilebridge, Clare
County Council received two submissions from members of the public. These
submissions related to the siting of the footbridge on the downstream
side of the existing masonry arch bridge and indicated a preference for
the bridge on the upstream side. The possibility of siting the footbridge
on the upstream side of the existing bridge was examined but disregarded
due to engineering reasons and issues relating to land ownership.
Clare County Council subsequently advertised in national and local newspapers
seeking expressions of interest from consultants and contractors to design
supply and construct a footbridge on the downstream side of the masonry
arch bridge. Two firms expressed an interest in this project and submitted
proposals and cost estimates to provide a footbridge. One proposal was
for a steel footbridge and the other for a pre-fabricated timber footbridge.
The timber footbridge proposal is the most economical advantageous option
and in my opinion would blend in well with the surrounding area. If a
contract is awarded to provide a pre-fabricated timber footbridge the
contractor will be responsible for the design, manufacture and installation
of the superstructure while the Council would be responsible for the design
and construction of the foundations and for carrying out any associated
kerbing and paving works.
The overall cost of the timber footbridge proposal is estimated to be
€130,000. The budget allocation under the UVR scheme for this project
is €60,000. In order for the scheme to progress it is necessary to
increase the budget allocation, submit a Part VIII planning application,
resolve land ownership issues at the crossing points of the bridge, undertake
a detailed design of the bridge foundations and appoint a firm to construct
the pre-fabricated timber footbridge.
All of the above will have to be undertaken on the basis of a future
UVR programme being advised by the DoEHLG as the current programme expires
at end of 2006.
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That Clare County Council put in place double yellow lines on the Dernish
Lawn section of road that was recently widened to facilitate service vehicles
I wish to reply as follows:-
Minor road widening was carried out at this location to facilitate larger
vehicles such as refuse collection lorries etc. However, the parking of
cars on the widened side of the road has defeated the purpose of the road
widening. In these circumstances I would recommend the provision of double
yellow lines on the bend at the widened side of the road.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. T. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
What plans are in place for green area between rear of Killian Park and
Tullyvarraga Court, (McCarthy's Field) will this area be developed as
a community amenity
I wish to reply as follows:-
The area referred to is part zoned as Other Settlement Land and part
zoned as Open Space in the southern area of the lands in question. A map
of the location is attached herewith showing the zoning of the lands.
To my knowledge, there are no plans at the present time to develop this
site as a community amenity. Any proposals for development should take
account of the zoning of the site.
Carmel Greene
Senior Executive Officer
Planning Department
With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
The road at the back of the library in Sixmilebridge is in need of repair
as it links Lodge Road and Church Street and for the people living in
this area they need a proper road structure
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Council has resurfaced the road, which leads to the library and to
the car park at the rear of the church. The road, which was, resurfaced
carries a lot more traffic than the side road from Church Street, which
is in reasonably good condition. I will ensure that any maintenance required
on this road is carried out without delay to ensure that the surface is
maintained and is in good condition.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That Clare County Council would make extra car space available in upper
Kilnasoolagh Park due to the congestion that exists at the moment.
I wish to reply as follows:-
A demand for extra car parking in housing estates is prevalent throughout
the County. This usually arises when there are more than two cars per
house. This may be associated with the younger adults in the family becoming
car owners or may be associated with rented accommodation where several
residents have cars. I do not have any specific source of funding available
for provision of car parking in housing estates. The problem could be
alleviated if the owners of the houses involved provided extra car parking
within their own property. The Council has provided a number of public
car parking spaces in residential areas in Shannon over the last couple
of years on the basis of 50% of the cost being paid by an adjacent house
owner. The Council could consider the provision of similar public car
parking on a shared cost basis in other housing estates such as Kilnasoolagh
Park.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That a detailed report be made available on the water pressure at
Drumgeely Hill particularly in light of the recent fire and what action
is
necessary to ensure sufficient pressure is available to deal with emergency
situations
I wish to reply as follows:-
Water Services Section checked the flow and pressure in the hydrants in
the vicinity of Drumgeely Hill recently and found them to be satisfactory.
The pressures were 60 lbs/sq. ins. with the hydrants closed and dropping
to 54 lbs./sq. ins. when the hydrants were opened, and the flows were
265 gls./min. The general discharge required in hydrants is 250 gls/min.
Water Services Section will ensure that the minimum hydrant requirements
are available at all times.
Liam Murphy
Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That Clare County Council remove section of corner to the rear of 30
Cronan Grove due to the limited turning area on the bend that currently
exists.
I wish to reply as follows:-
Small scale widening is possible at this location which should enable
larger vehicles to manoeuvre without going on to the grassed area. I will
arrange to have this work carried out when manpower resources are available.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 14, submitted by Cllr. T. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
Are all stopcock valves controlling supply of water to individual houses
in
proper working order, when was the latest audit/inspection carried out
on
on these valves in the Shannon area.
I wish to reply as follows:-
It is in the interest of all house owners to check their individual stopcocks
and ensure that they are in working order. Clare County Council will respond
to those who report a complaint that a problem exists with regard to their
individual stopcock within a reasonable time.
Liam Murphy
Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 15, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
I am requesting that the road from Kilmurry Cross to the Castle be upgraded
to cater for the heavy traffic flow.
I wish to reply as follows:-
This Regional Road has been prone to potholing over the last couple of
years. I will try to have an allocation provided for the resurfacing of
this section of the road in 2007.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 16, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That Clare County Council put a speed limit of 30mph at Newmarket on
Fergus GAA clubhouse entrance as some motorists still use excessive speed.
I wish to reply as follows:-
The road at this location is a Regional Road in a built up area. A speed
limit of 50kph is in place here. A pedestrian crossing and speed table
have been provided at this location as a traffic calming in the form of
a raised junction has been provided nearby at the entrance to the new
housing development. These traffic calming measures have been effective
and no further traffic calming measures are considered necessary.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 17, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That the speed obstacles on Gort road be reviewed particularly the one
adjacent to 1 O'Brien Park and replaced with more suitable speed tables
or chicanes
I wish to reply as follows:-
The ramps on the Gort Road were provided a number of years ago. This type
of ramp is not in keeping with modern standards. I understand that a local
house owner has requested the removal of the ramps adjacent to O Brien
Park. I understand there is a concern re noise, vibrations and that the
houses might be affected. In these circumstances I would suggest that
consideration be given to the removal of the ramp. My own view is that
the ramp should be removed. I am not in favour of interfering with the
structural integrity of a concrete road (such as the concrete section
of the Gort Road) by cutting out a section and installing a speed table
as this can lead to problems of settlement and consequent noise, vibrations
etc. The construction of chicanes is not possible due to the amount of
entrances along the road.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 18, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
That Clare County Council provide a comprehensive report concerning the
on-going neighbourhood scheme that is being carried out in Shannon
(a) a breakdown of the overall cost of this scheme
(b) what type of finish will be provided on footpaths and parking areas
(c) Will Clare County Council find additional funding if needed to produce
a proper and sustainable facility for the community
(d) When is it envisaged this scheme will be finished
(e) What plans have Clare County Council for Tullyglass Hill and will
the Council make sure that the problems experienced in Tullyvarraga are
not repeated in Tullyglass.
I wish to reply as follows:-
(a) Original cost of Tullyvarraga scheme was estimated at €58,909,
with grants of €30,730 with the balance being met from sale of timber.
Cost of Tullyvarraga has since risen to €97,404 mainly due to “top
and lop” cost of €34,000. Sale of timber from Tullyvarraga
was estimated at €45,000 but following a tendering process will generate
substantially less than that.
(b) Footpaths are to be gravel, rolled and compacted. Car parking is not
included as part of Neighbourwood schemes, however area in front of barrier
at top of Tullyvarraga has been finished with gravel
(c) Clare County Council is committed to completing the scheme at Tullyvarraga
and delays to date have been due to the issues which arose and weather
factors e.g planting seasons etc.
(d) Planting of trees at Tullyvarraga will commence mid December or early
January 07. Footpaths and tree clearance/tidying of Town Park will be
finished by mid December 06.
(e) Tullyvarraga section needs to be completed satisfactorily and all
issues addressed prior to giving any consideration to the Tullyglass scheme.
Issues which arose in Tullyvarraga are likely also to arise in Tullyglass.
The Council needs to give a detailed assessment to these issues and their
impacts before proceeding with any scheme at Tullyglass. Actions will
be agreed prior to the commencement of any scheme to alleviate repetition
of issues and new costings will need to be agreed for this section, including
revised projection of income for sale of timber.
Padraig McCormaic
Development Officer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 19, submitted by Cllr. T. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
In view of ongoing problems with gullies and drains in Cronan area of
Shannon, will council outline what action is being taken to permanently
rectify this matter
I wish to reply as follows:-
A recent inspection during wet weather indicated that a few drainage
gullies were not functioning properly. The most urgent of these is one
located near no 33 Cronan Lawn. I have arranged to have these gullies
and pipes, if necessary, cleaned out as soon as possible.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
With reference to Notice of Motion no 20, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 22nd November, 2006,
Due to the new fly over and Ennis Bypass, the status of Latoon Cross
has been lost and I am asking Clare County Council to erect signage to
recognise the status of this famous cross
I wish to reply as follows:-
I will arrange to have appropriate signage erected at Latoon Cross in
the near future.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
|
