There were no declarations of interest from the Members.

Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 24^th November, 2022

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Meeting of 24^th November, 2022.

·         An update was requested on the design for Main Street in Castlerea town along with a request to have it prioritised for 2023

·         An enquiry as to when the bins will be replaced in Roscommon town

·         A request to have the low cost safety scheme for the Walk prioritised for 2023

Neal Geraghty, A/Municipal District Co-ordinator responded to the issues raised-

·         The design for the Castlerea project is currently being prepared by the Road Design Office and an update will be given on this at the next meeting

·         The bins will be installed in Roscommon and Castlerea next week

·         A low cost safety application for the Walk has been submitted to the department for approval.

A discussion followed concerning the design for Castlerea town and the members requested traffic survey data for the Hell’s Kitchen and Delaney’s corner junctions in addition to asking for auto tracking to be carried out.  Modelling is critical to having a good design that will work well in the long term and the members felt that a mini roundabout would be the best option at the Hell’s Kitchen junction.   Additional parking will need to be considered at the rear of buildings if car parking spaces are lost on Main Street.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Dineen and SECONDED by Cllr. Waldron that a mini roundabout be considered as the first option at the Hell’s Kitchen junction.

 “That Roscommon Municipal District introduce radar sensor speed limit signs on all approach roads leading into Castlerea”.

“That Roscommon Municipal District introduce radar sensor speed limit signs on all approach roads leading into Castlerea”.

It has been brought to my attention the rise in number of RTAs locally. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the speed of traffic, especially articulated lorries and HGVs, on the approach roads (both directions) into Castlerea. Urgent measures are required to calm traffic and prevent the event of serious accident, in particular on the Knock Road.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply as prepared by the Roads Department: -

The regulation of speed limits within the County lies with An Garda Síochána and we shall notify the local station of the Councillors concerns. The provision of Vehicle Actuated Speed Signs within County Roscommon is on a case by case basis and not following general concerns around driver behaviour. The provision of these signs across the road network leading into Castlerea Town will not lead to the desired effect on driver behaviour. If Councillor Waldron has specific high collision sites that he wishes to have investigated, then the Roscommon Municipal District will be glad to investigate them further.  

Cllr. Waldron spoke about the seriousness of the situation on the approach roads to Castlerea and would like radar speed limit signs introduced especially at Knockroe and the Knock road.   He indicated that the radar signs do slow traffic down and it would be a good safety measure to initiate. 

Neal Geraghty, A/Municipal District Co-ordinator responded that the TII based their response on the available data relating to matters such as high collision sites. He indicated that he will ask the Guards to increase their presence at those particular locations.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Shanagher

            SECONDED by Councillor Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED that the proposed housing development at Ardnanagh, Lisnamult, Roscommon will be named “Elm Court”.

Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act, 2014 Schedule 3.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

It was AGREED that the road within the housing development at Unnamed, Commons Townland, Ballinlough be declared a public road.

Request from Councillor Shanagher:

“That Roscommon County Council honour at the next civic reception Rory Carthy from St. Coman’s Handball Club on winning a gold medal in the US Junior National Handball Champsionships held in San Francisco over the Christmas period”.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Shanagher

            SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council honour at the next civic reception, Rory Carthy from St. Coman’s Handball Club on winning a gold medal in the US Junior National Handball Championships held in San Francisco”.

Cllr. Shanagher gave an update from the Roscommon Town Team:

·         The town team were involved in helping to organise the Christmas Market which was a great success with very positive feedback received from the stall traders

Cllr. Dineen gave an update from the Castlerea Town Team:

·         The town team supported the businesses with the Christmas lights

·         The Castlerea weekly roundup is very popular and going from strength to strength

·         The town team ran a kids disco before Christmas which worked well and brought parents into Castlerea town

·         The energy master plan for Castlerea was completed and the town team engaged with other town teams on this matter

Majella Hunt, Director of Services reminded members to compile their programme of works for 2023 which will have to be submitted in February.  She also hopes to be in a better position staff wise in 2023 and intends to put more support in place for town teams going forward.  Majella also advised the members to decide on their policy every year as regards what percentage of their funding will go as contributions to other groups.

There were no votes of congratulations or sympathies.

The following items was raised under AOB –

·         A request was made to firm up dates for launching the Roscommon Municipal District Fund for 2023

·         The condition of the public car parks in Roscommon town was discussed and the need for upgrade works to include relining and additional lighting if required

·         The lights at the pedestrian crossing between the council buildings and the new car park is not working

·         The IBAL results for Roscommon town was good and well done to everyone involved

·         An update was requested on the proposed footpaths and lighting on the stretch from Hannon’s Hotel to the Golf Course

·         The members requested a map with all the road numbers in a digital platform

·         A request was made to identify sites throughout the Roscommon MD area for charging points so that this type of infrastructure can be put in place

·         The prospect of providing Council forms and information at our public libraries should be progressed and

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that a post box for Roscommon County Council will be set up in the local libraries where people could leave their messages and report items that need to be followed up on

Neal Geraghty, A/Municipal District Co-ordinator responded to the issues raised –

·         The design for the stretch at from Hannon’s Hotel is prepared and gone to the NTA for approval. We are expecting approval soon and then it will progress to a Part 8 application

It was agreed that a special meeting of the Roscommon MD will take place on 9^th February, 2023 at 2 pm.

It was agreed that a special meeting of the Roscommon MD will take place on 9^th February, 2023 at 2 pm.