Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion 18th December, 2008

With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

To ask Clare County Council to alleviate the problem of flooding on the Muckanagh Road, Newmarket on Fergus

I wish to reply as follows:-
In my opinion the problem of flooding on the Muckanagh Road, the Granaghan Road and the Ennis to Limerick railway line are inter-linked.  Both the Rosroe and Finn loughs either side of the Muckanagh Road drain to Ballycar lough which subsequently drains underground via swallow holes to the Lisduff area and possibly Lough Gash.  Water discharge via the swallow holes is limited and this results in an expansion of Ballycar lough during winter months causing flooding of surrounding lands and infrastructure. As a direct result, the level of water within the inflowing stream from Rosroe lough rises and the stream spills over onto adjacent lands and Muckanagh Road.  Clare County Council carried out dredging works along a large section of this stream two years ago to alleviate flooding and while this work increased the carrying capacity of the stream it has not prevented water spilling onto Muckanagh Road from the stream and adjoining lands.  Muckanagh Road is a bog rampart type road and requires restoration. When road restoration works take place it may be possible to partially alleviate the flooding on the road by raising the level of the road where flooding occurs, however the widespread issue of flooding in this area needs to be addressed by the Office of Public Works by providing an adequate drainage system between Ballycar Lough and Lough Gash from where water flows southwards over a 3km distance to the Fergus estuary outfalling into Cleanagh Creek.  Subject to the availability of funding the road will be considered for inclusion in the 2009 road works programme.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

That the footpaths on Tullyglass Hill leading to the Gort Road be cleaned made usable and safe as a matter of urgency
I wish to reply as follows:-
The footpaths on Tullyglass Hill leading to the Gort Road which traverse an open space, are in a state of disrepair and require attention. These footpaths are almost completely overgrown with grass and much of the macadam and stone surface requires restoration.  I am unable to carry out footpath repair work at present because traversing the grass areas alongside the footpaths with heavy machinery such as mini diggers or dumpers would cause extensive damage.  That being said, it is my intention to restore these paths to their original condition in the Spring when weather and ground conditions are more favourable.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

That Clare County Council remedy the flooding problems on the footpath on Drumgeely road next to the junction of Gort Road and also the footpath from no1 to no 8 to the front of Aidan Park.  These paths are constantly flooded and cannot be used by the public.
I wish to reply as follows:-
I will arrange for the necessary drainage improvement works to be undertaken to eliminate flooding of the footpath beside the junction of the Drumgeely road and the Gort Road, which is being caused by surface water runoff from the grass area in front of Tullyglass Hill.  Footpath improvement works and associated drainage works in front of Nos.1-8 Aidan Park were completed in 2008. Assuming the motion refers to the footpath in front of Nos. 1-8 Finian Park, I can confirm that funding has been applied for under the Town Commisioner’s Grant for footpath improvement works in 2009.   Subject to sufficient funds being made available the flooding issue relating to these footpaths will be resolved by replacing the existing macadam footpaths with new concrete footpaths
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

I am requesting Clare County Council that they would take over the Castlecrine Water Scheme.
I wish to reply as follows:-
The Castlecrine Group Water Scheme are in the process of making an application for the Group Water Scheme to be taken in charge by the County Council.  Clare County Council are not sure of the funding that will be available for 2009 as allocation wont be known until next year but it is expected that there will be funding provided for the takeover of the Group Water Scheme.  There are issues concerning this particular
Group Water Scheme, which include the network to be upgraded.  These works will have to be completed before Clare County Council take the Group Water Scheme in charge.
Yours sincerely,
Pat Connellan,
Co. Liaison Officer

With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

To ask Clare County Council to install a ramp in the vicinity of Ballycar Cross Newmarket on Fergus due to the huge amount of crashes in this area.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I am aware of a number of cars skidding off this section of road recently as a result of frost and ice forming on the road’s surface. Arrangements have been made to have this section of road salted prior to cold weather spells, which should prevent the road from becoming icy or slippery.  I will also arrange for warning signage to be erected in advance of Ballycar Cross alerting motorists of the series of bad bends on the road. The installation of ramps on regional roads where the 80km/h speed limit applies is not recommended as they present serious traffic hazards to motorist’s particularly motorcyclists who use the road.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

That Clare County Council advise what arrangements, if any, are in place between Clare County Council and Shannon Development for the gritting of the Shannon Industrial Estates, as these were left in a treacherous condition at the start of the recent cold spell due to non gritting.

I wish to reply as follows:-

These roads have not been taken in charge by Clare County Council and are the responsibility of Shannon Development.  There is no agreement between the County Council and Shannon Development in relation to salting any roads within the Industrial Estates.  On the morning of December 1st there was exceptionally icy roads including roads within the Industrial Estates.  The Gardaí requested the Council to salt the main road in the Industrial Estate and this was done.  This was the only occasion that any salting of roads within the Industrial Estate was done by the Council.
Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 15, submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

I am requesting that the stop signs at the Square in Sixmilebridge be replaced and warning signs be erected on approach roads to the Square.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Appropriate warning signs shall be erected in advance of the crossroads and the stop signs shall be repositioned on the R471 regional road in advance of the stop line so that they are clearly visible to traffic approaching the junction.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

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

To ask Clare County Council to consider the provision of a mini roundabout at Monument Cross Newmarket on Fergus due to the ongoing dangerous movement of traffic.

I wish to reply as follows:-
Mini roundabouts should only be used when all their approaches are subject to a 50km/h speed limit and therefore their provision is normally confined to urban areas. The R470 regional road at Monument Cross is subject to a 60km/h speed limit and therefore is not a suitable location for a mini roundabout.  The road design section of Clare County Council have prepared the enclosed draft design for the realignment of the existing junction however funding is not available at present to implement this design. 
Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

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

That Clare County Council advise what they are doing to advertise, and make people aware locally, of the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Community & Enterprise Directorate co-ordinate and implement the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme in conjunction with the Fire Service personnel who provide assistance with fire safety seminars/advice when the detectors are issued. Under the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme vulnerable homes in the County will be provided with smoke alarms.

An advertisement was placed in the Clare Champion on the 5th December, 2008 advertising the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme (scheme details available to Clare County Development Board on 17th November2008.)

This advertisement was also sent to all community groups (557 in total) on the Community & Voluntary database, Clare Community Forum and to all the Elected members. Details are also available on the Clare County Council and County Development Board website. An advertisement was also placed in the Community Diary commencing on the 8th December and this is aired twice a day for the full week.
The closing date for receipt of completed forms is the 23rd January, 2009.

It is intended to place reminder advertisements and notifications to elected members and community groups in January 2009 as per the 2007 scheme.  In 2007 the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme was very successful through which a total sum of 188 alarms were issued.

Yours sincerely,
Catherine O Hara,
Administrative Officer,
Community & Enterprise.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 18, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

That the section of walkway from Drumgeely Hill to Illaunamanagh Point be inspected by the Engineer in Clare County Council and that repair work be carried out where needed.  This path is used by a lot of senior citizens and representations on their behalf has been made.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will personally inspect this river walk shortly and should any maintenance work be required I will compile a works list.  Subject to the availability of funding such works will be undertaken in 2009.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 19, submitted by Cllr. J Crowe. for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 16th December, 2008,

I am requesting that Lifebuoys be erected on the O’Garney River in the vicinity of Sixmilebridge.
I wish to reply as follows:-
Clare County Council’s water safety development officer has proposed the installation of a ring buoy beside the river opposite Crowe's shop at The Square, Sixmilebridge in addition to the ring buoy already in place at the rear of Greyhound Bar in Sixmilebridge.  I will arrange for this ring buoy to be erected without delay.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

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