·         Minutes of Athlone MD Meeting 15/01/2018

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District held on 15.01.2018

Cllr. Naughten sought an update in relation to his previous request to meet with the Executive of Roscommon County Council to discuss the General Municipal Allocations with particular reference to the Local Road Improvement allocation and to put business case together to address the situation.

Ms Majella Hunt, Director of Services advised that since last meeting there was a change of Directorates.  She advised Members that figures were made available for various scenarios i.e. 50/50 split.  The recent bad weather has further deteriorated the roads in the County and additional funding will be required from Department for maintenance works.  Ms. Hunt suggested that a meeting with Executive should be held following outcome of submission and funding can be discussed further. 

Mr. Eugene Dwyer advised meeting that he will make a submission to Department of Transport seeking additional funding for roads in particular the Athlone MD area.  He stated that a budget in excess of €11m is required to bring Athlone MD road network up to standard, but unlikely this amount of money will be allocated.  This submission is to be finalised and sent to Department this week. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

            SECONDED by Councillor Ward

It was AGREED to meet with Executive following outcome of submission to Department of Transport.

·         To be circulated

Mr. Eugene Dwyer, Head of Roads, Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha, Senior Executive Engineer and Mr. Paul Browne, Executive Engineer presented the Draft Roads Programme for 2018 which had been circulated.

Mr. Eugene Dwyer referred the Members to page 15 and sought approval to make two changes to the Local Roads Surface Restoration and Road Reconstruction plan as follows:

Remove Road No. L18171-0 Carrowstella

Remove Road No. L18171-0 Lisnagroagh

Add Road No. L7584, Carrowreagh, Athleague

Add Road No. L7503, Kilmore, Athleague

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED to replace the L18171 Carrowstellan road with the L7584 road in Carrowreagh, Athleague and to replace the L18171 Lisnagroagh road with Kilmore road.

Mr. Dwyer made reference to the following areas on the Draft Programme:

·         €290k allocated to Bridge Rehabilitation works on nine bridges (not listed)

·         New grant for drainage works totalling €97,600k (page 22).  Four Schemes intended to be completed with this funding including Esker Ban, Bridge Bar and Bealnamullia.

·         Instructed by Department to have a contingency for Flooding/Severe Weather of €150k, but if unspent we can re-allocate

·         No funding for footpath repairs, but first tranche of money from IPB received which is to improve footpaths.

·         CIS Scheme – 21 applications submitted to Department

·         LIS Scheme – 170 eligible applications (5 high priority).  Each area to get 4/5 schemes.  €10k held for each Municipal District.   Works to be completed by July.

·         Many local roads are not able to support heavy agriculture machinery.

The Members made raised he following:

·         Cllr Connaughton requested that Arity be included in next year’s programme under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Scheme. 

·         Cllr Naughten requested that Milltown, Dysart and Moore North be looked at if additional funding becomes available.

·         All Members agreed that funding allocation is about one third of what is required.

·         Members thanked Executive and Staff for work done to date especially schools done during the holidays including Feevagh and Rahara. 

·         Maps to be circulated to Members.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was agreed by all the members to adopt the Draft Roads Works Programme for the Athlone Municipal District for 2018 subject to the amendments as agreed.

·         To be circulated

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was agreed by all the members to approve the recommendations under the Cemetery Improvements Grants Scheme for the Athlone Municipal District for 2018.

Members raised concerns in relation to old trees growing around the perimeter of a number of cemeteries in South Roscommon.  Members asked if there were any funding avenues available to communities to deal with this issue.  Investigate if these works are eligible under CLÁR Measure 1: Support for Schools / Community Safety Measures.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was agreed by all the members to submit an application for CLÁR Funding if such works were deemed eligible under the guidelines of the scheme. 

Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services updated Members in relation to the Pilot Scheme for Hedge Trimming.  A budget of €10,000 has been allocated to each Municipal District.  A new Scheme has been devised and agreed at Roads Strategic Policy Committee.  Members requested that the details of the new scheme be circulated to them.

·         Date for Allocation of Funding Meeting

The Athlone Municipal District Funding Scheme 2108 was advertised and a total of 18 applications received from various groups.  A list of applicants was circulated to Members. 

Members made the following comments in relation to applications:

·         Seek clarification on LEADER application from Cuisle Holiday Centre

·         Athlone Triathlon are seeking assistance for funding that is to be used primarily towards a Traffic Management Plan, but no application was submitted and deadline has passed. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was agreed by all members to allow Athlone Triathlon Committee to submit a late application for consideration under the Athlone Municipal District Funding Scheme 2018.

Clonown Community Ltd

Cllr. Fallon gave an update on the current status of the project to construct children’s play area and changing rooms.  The Committee were successful in securing funding from Sports Capital Grant and LEADER.  Funding of €24,000 from Athlone MD was allocated as matching funding for the LEADER grant.  As part of the application under the LEADER application was not eligible (meeting room) approval was sought to divert €15,000 as matched funding for the Sports Capital Grant instead.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was agreed by all the members to approve the re-allocation of matching funding of €15,000 for the Sports Capital Grant and for €9,000 as matching funding for the LEADER Grant.

Evaluation Meeting

It was agreed that the Evaluation Meeting be held on 17^th April 2018 at 10 a.m.

·         Motion No. 03/18 from Cllr. Keogh

·         Motion No. 04/18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Motion No. 05/18 from Cllr. Naughten

Notice of Motion from Councillor Keogh 03/18

“That Roscommon County Council, in the interests of road safety, carry out urgent remedial works to the L2025 having regard to the increasing number of single vehicle accidents occurring on the stretch of road between the entrance to Kildea Concrete and Rooskey Crossroad and further that remedial patching works be carried out to a number of stretches that have been seriously compromised by potholes and further that a centre line road marking be placed on the entire of the L2025 from the junction with the R357 in Taughmaconnell to the Junction with the R363 at Bealnamullia and further that in the interests of road safety, that crash barriers be inserted from Castlesampson National School in the Bealnamullia direction in light of the seriously dangerous bends immediately after the school”     

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

(i)                  Re-texturing works to improve Skid Resistance on the section of the L 2025 adjacent to Kildeas were carried out in early March. This section of road also will be surface dressed as part of the 2018 Roads Programme.

(ii)                The remaining section of the L 2025 will be maintained until such time as funds become available to extend the DBM surface westward from Rooskagh to eventually cover the full length of this road. Road marking will be carried out in conjunction with Roads programme works.

(iii)               Crash barriers are not normally installed on Local Roads however the MD will submit a scheme for funding such a scheme at Castlesampson to TII for the next round of Low Cost Accident grants.  

Cllr. Keogh acknowledged the works that have taken place but outlined the need for safety barrier and emphasised that a strong case for funding should be submitted to TII.  TII have a policy on crash barriers on local roads and best approach is to undertake a safety audit which will identify works required.

Cllr. Ward informed the meeting that there is an issue with barrier erected on the Ardmullen to Lisphelim road.  This matter will be investigated.

Notice of Motion from Councillor Ward 04/18

"That Roscommon County Council and the TII provide left hand turning lane with road marking at the Curramore junction on road L2022-0.  The junction is very narrow at this location and motorists that need to turn left out onto the N61 in the direction of Ballybay NS and Church are unable to do so.  This leads to a build up of traffic at this location."

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

Roscommon County Council are currently in the process of appointing Safety Consultants under an existing TII Framework Contract to examine safety issues on the N61.

Notice of Motion from Naughten 05/18

“That Roscommon County Council write to Minister for Transport Shane Ross to seek additional funds to address the significant deterioration in local road network over the last number of months.”

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

Roscommon County Council has submitted an application to Government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.18

·         Question No.3.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Question No. 4.18 from Cllr. Ward

Dangerous Bend at Lackan

Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting when Roscommon County Council will commence work on the removal of a dangerous bend on the R362 road at Lackan, Rahara.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

Work will be carried out at this location during Summer of 2018 subject to agreement with the relevant landowner under the Low Cost Accident Scheme.

Road Safety Measures at Dysart Village
Can the Director of services please inform the meeting when will Roscommon County Council commence work to install safety measures on the R363 at Dysart village?

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

Work will be carried out at this location in September 2018 under the Low Cost Accident Scheme.

Parkway Estate

Members enquired what progress to date has been made on the Parkway Site.  Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services informed the meeting  On 14^th March 2018 a notice issued to the registered owners of the site at Parkway Avenue, Monksland informing the owners that the site has been entered in to the Derelict Sites Register  - Section 11 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990. The owners have six weeks from the date of the notice i.e. 14^th March, to carry out the works.  A levy can also be placed on the site.  There is also the option of the Council acquiring the site compulsorily, which is a lengthy process and one that provides for the owner seeking compensation within twelve months of the Vesting Order.

Drainage Works at Kileglin

Members sought an update in relation to drainage works at Killeglin which they are hoping can be addressed within the next few months.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha informed the meeting that the Council not liable.  He informed members that the upgrade of the Shannonbridge road is huge project and is in agreement with Mr. Eugene Dwyer, Head of Roads that land be acquired and subsequently funding should be sought. 

Taughmaconnell Graveyard

Cllr. Keogh stated that works are required to improve the road surface leading into Graveyard and that there are safety concerns in relation to the old trees on the perimeter of the graveyard.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha will look at the feasibility of CLÁR funding for dealing with graveyards. 

Roundabout at Cloonakilla NS

Members sought an update in relation to proposed roundabout at Cloonakilla National School.  Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services informed Members that discussions have taken place with landowner.  An agreement has not been reached.

Footpaths and Public lighting at Creagh

Members sought an update in relation to footpaths and public lighting from Dolans Garage to boundary with Galway County Council.  Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that this was a huge project estimated at €300k.  It is on a list of priority schemes and a submission for funding should be through the Community & Enterprise Section. 

Members requested if the following issues could be looked at:

·         Drainage works on Cloonakilla Road are taking place and Members inquired if the wall of the bridge could be repaired also.

·         Drum Cemetery to Dolans garage is unlit and needs to be addressed.

·         Walkway from Monksland up to Cloonakilla National School is in need of remedial works.

·         Public Lighting should be installed from Mill Bar to Waterville, Monksland

·         Street Light required at Castlesampson School as used for Elections and Board of Management Meetings.  Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that School should submit an application for CLÁR funding.  Deadline is 13^th April.