Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 17^th May, 2021

Roscommon Municipal District A.G.M. – 21^st June, 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District meeting held on 17^th May, 2021.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District A.G.M. held on 21^st June, 2021.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meetings.

The following Notice of Motion and reply was read by Neal Geraghty.

“That Roscommon Municipal District supports the provision of a 50km/h speed limit at Cloverhill N.S. on the N60 in the interest of the safety of the pupils, staff and school community and calls on Roscommon County Council to bring forward a speed limit of 50km/h as a matter of urgency to address the safety risk at Cloverhill N.S. on this national road”. 

REPLY

Roscommon County Council carried out a review of Speed Limits within the county in 2019 which was accompanied by an external review of all National Roads Speed Limits by Tobin’s Engineering Consultants. This National Roads Review was conducted across all 26 counties and to date has been adopted by the majority of Local Authorities. However, following several meetings between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Roscommon County Council, we were unable to achieve consensus with the Elected Representatives and the National Road Speed Limits were left unchanged.  

The Roads and Transportation Unit support a reduced periodic speed limit at Cloverhill National School, however without consensus on all the various recommendations within the Review, this remains unachievable. Roads & Transportation will carry out a review of the proposals in Q4, 2021.   

Cllr. Leyden and the other members welcomed the reply and the acknowledgement by the Roads and Transportation Unit of the need for a reduced speed limit at Cloverhill National School.  Cllr. Leyden would like to bring this matter forward for the next meeting and ideally have a periodic speed limit of 50km/hr in place before the new school year. 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr. Waldron

It was AGREED that a periodic speed limit of 50km/hr at Cloverhill National School is put into operation as soon as possible. 

The members fully support the motion but are concerned that their recommendations are not in line with that of the TII’s.  This ongoing issue at Cloverhill National School has not been addressed because the TII have not reconsidered their opposition to the recommendations put forward by the members of Roscommon County Council.  Martin Lydon confirmed that we will go back to the Roads Department and re-enter into discussions with the TII. 

Proposal to erect swift nest boxes on selected Roscommon County Council properties in the Roscommon MD

Nollaig Feeney gave a presentation to the members on the swift colony creation project and explained that she was looking to get agreement in principle from Roscommon MD members to erect swift nest boxes and caller systems on selected Roscommon County Council properties.   A contractor will be engaged to erect the nest boxes. 

The properties identified include Castlerea Courthouse, Roscommon Leisure Centre, Roscommon Arts Centre and the Old Motor Tax Building on Abbey Street. 

Nollaig also informed the members of plans to relocate the swift tower from Loughnaneane Park to a suitable site in the town centre, maybe in the new car park.

The members gave their support for the project which is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  Neal Geraghty also expressed his support for the project subject to compliance with all planning regulations.

Neal Geraghty read out the following update on the Public Realm Project as provided by Senior Resident Engineer, Ciaran McAlary.

·         Phase 3 works, to the East side of the Bank of Ireland, are ongoing between Main Street and Castle Street and it is hoped that this section will re-open to traffic later in July.

·         In the meantime, traffic is being accommodated in both directions between St Ciaran’s Park and Castle Street under traffic light control.

·         Main Street re-opened to one-way traffic (South to North) in early June with works continuing in the footpaths.

·         The majority of the footpath areas on Main Street should be complete in July with works to the Phase 3 footpaths progressing thereafter and continuing throughout August.  

·         Throughout the works, it is “Business as Usual” for all premises on Main Street and the Square, with pedestrian access being maintained at all times.

Neal also indicated that the contractor was taking holidays during the last week of July and first week of August.

The members thanked Neal for the update but have concerns about the traffic flow as the Roscommon Town Drainage Scheme is taking place at the same time in Roscommon town.  They also requested that the businesses are made aware of the dates when the contractors are going to be on holidays.  Neal explained that Irish Water have included the Roads Dept. and the Roscommon MD in their progress meetings and work on Circular Road, Roscommon is restricted to night time only. 

Cllr. Leyden and Cllr. Shanagher gave an update from the Roscommon Town Team

·         The report on Edenville House is finalised and will soon be sent to the Chief Executive with proposals

·         The survey into the recreational needs of young people in Roscommon has been completed and an Expression of Interest has been submitted to Leader with the hope of starting a feasibility study in August or September.  There was an exceptional response by young people to the survey with a desire to see a skate board park being developed in Roscommon town.

·         The wild flower meadow is in full bloom at the Spinney

·         Replacement banners are ordered for Castle Street/St. Ciaran’s park and the Dominican Friary on the Circular road

Cllr. Waldron and Cllr. Fitzmaurice gave an update from the Castlerea Town Team

·         The painting scheme is continuing in Castlerea and some derelict commercial buildings have been occupied which is a great boost to the town

·         The Decade of Centenaries events took place on 11^th July in Ballinlough, Tarmon, Loughglynn, Cloonbonniffe and Castlerea and a memorial was unveiled in Castlerea.  All events were live on castlerea.ie

·         A community enhancement project for additional picnic benches and seating has been sanctioned for Somers Park

·         The Irish and Olympic Flags are currently being erected in Castlerea in support of Aoife O’Rourke and Richael Timothy who are taking part in the Olympics and Paralympics

·         The outdoor heated swimming pool is open and is a great facility in conjunction with Somers Park

The members congratulated Cllr. Fitzmaurice on the success of the centenary event that was organised in Castlerea on Sunday, 11^th July.  

E-mail from TII regarding reference 26.21

·         E-mail correspondence from TII regarding reference 26.21

The members welcomed the news that the TII will carry out a survey in the next few months and look forward to progressing the issue of safety for pedestrians in Castlerea town.

A vote of sympathy was expressed to the Morgan family on the passing of Betty Morgan, Oran, R.I.P.

The following items were raised-

·         The members conveyed their good wishes to all groups participating in the Tidy Towns Competition

·         The members wished Aoife O’Rourke and Richael Timothy the best of luck in Tokyo

·         The members enquired about engaging extra contractors to speed up the verge cutting especially at junctions

·         Cllr. Leyden raised a concern about the footpath area close to the post box on Abbey Street which is a trip hazard and needs urgent attention.  Neal Geraghty explained that the outdoor staff resources are very stretched but the Roscommon Operation area will address the footpath issue at Abbey Street

·         The members thanked Martin Lydon for all his hard work and wished him well in his new position in Sligo

·         Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired if there was any progress regarding the renaming of the New Estate in Castlerea.  Martin Lydon explained that the process was delayed due to Covid-19 but assured the members that he will request an update from Corporate Services

·         The issue of procurement difficulties and availability of drivers was discussed.  Neal Geraghty indicated that we have 5 verge trimmers in operation at present within the Roscommon MD with priority given to national routes and junctions

The next Roscommon MD meeting will be held “in camera” on 29^th July at 2 p.m.