Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Áras an Chontae. View directions

Contact: Sheila Glennon  Email: sglennon@roscommoncoco.ie

Items
No. Item

23.20

Adoption of Minutes

Minutes:

Draft Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Meeting held in the Council Chambers, Aras on Chontae, Roscommon on 15th June, 2020 at 2.30pm

 

PRESENT:     Councillor Tony Ward, Cathaoirleach            PRESIDED

 

MEMBERS:   Cllr. I Connaughton, Cll.r L Fallon, Cllr. J Keogh, Cllr. D Kilduff, Cllr. J Naughten

 

 

OFFICALS:    Eugene Cummins CEO.

                        Liam Bergin, Director of Services.

                        Diarmuid MacDonncha, SEE

                        Paul Browne, EE

                        Shelia Glennon Assistant Staff Officer

                       

APOLOGIES: 

 

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

It was noted that the meeting is being held in accordance with Government Guidelines in relation to social Distancing.

 

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr J Keogh

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr J Naughten

 

It was Agreed to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on Monday 27th April, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

24.20

Matters Arising

Minutes:

There were no matters arising.

25.20

Correspondence

Minutes:

Cllr John Keogh – raised concerns over the correspondence received from the TII in relation to the maintenance of roundabouts at junction 12 and 13 on the N6 at Monksland.

 

Cllr. John Keogh stated that a letter should be sent to TII calling for a review of the maintenance contract.

 

Cllr. John Naughten raised concerns over the substandard maintenance of grass and shrubs at Daneshill Roundabout.

 

Cllr. Donal Kilduff enquired if the County Council could take back control of maintenance of these roundabouts and bill TII.

 

Cllr. Laurence Fallon stated that TII has an oversight role in relation to the contract and must ensure maintenance work is carried out to a satisfactory standard.

 

Liam Bergin, Director of Services, replied that the Council could engage with the TII or draw their attention to the specified substandard maintenance.

 

Diarmuid MacDonncha SEE, added that the Senior Engineer in Roads Department attends a monthly meeting with TII and the matter should be raised then.

 

 

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr. J Keogh

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr. T Ward.

 

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED by all elected members to send a letter to TII in relation to the substandard level of maintenance of roundabouts at junction 12 and 13 on the N6 at Monksland.

26.20

Notice of Motion

·         3.20- Cllr. Naughten - Bus Shelter on old Tuam Road close to River Village Roundabout.

·         4.20- Cllr. Fallon – Road Improvements at Lough Cup.

·         5.20 – Cllr Ward – Removal of junction at Glebe Road, Kiltoom.

·         6.20 – Cllr. Kilduff – Road Markings in Athlone MD area.

·         7.20 – Cllr. Ward – Widening of R362 road at Knocknanool,Brideswell.

·         8.20 – Cllr. Naughten – Taking in charge of Road at Kilnamanagh, Clonown, Athlone.

 

Minutes:

There were six Notice of Motion’s submitted for discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.20a

Notice of Motion 3.20 - Cllr. Naughten - Bus Shelter at Bus Stop on Old Tuam Road

Minutes:

“That Roscommon County Council request the NTA to immediately fund a Bus Shelter at the Bus Stop located on the Old Tuam Rd in close proximity to the River Village Roundabout”.

 

 

REPLY:

 

Athlone Municipal District will write to the national Transport Authority requesting that a Bus Shelter be installed at the location suggested.   The NTA have a contract with JCDecaux a private company for installation of 1,800 Bus Shelters across the country and it is our intention that Roscommon county council will apply to participate in the scheme.

 

26.20b

Notice of Motion 4.20 - Cllr. Fallon - Raise Road at Lough Cup

Minutes:

“Because of the failure to implement a viable long term solution to the flooding at both Lough Funshinagh and Lough Cup to date.   I am calling on Roscommon County Council to raise the road at Lough Cup which is now submerged in 24 inches of water and rising.   The flooding is likely to remain here for many months.

 

REPLY:

 

Works were carried out on Friday 6th march to provide access to the Mannion family who live adjacent to Lough Cup.   This means that no house is isolated by flood water at this location.   I understand that a local farmer is inconvenienced by the blocked road, however he does have an alternate route.   Raising the road by a further 600mm would involve extensive works including the acquisition of land.   These works would be premature in view of the possibility that a piped solution may be available.

 

26.20c

Notice of Motion 5.20 - Cllr. Ward - Junction at Glebe Road, Kiltoom

Minutes:

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a dangerous junction at the head of the Glebe Rd., Kiltoom on the Curraghboy/Kiltoom Rd, Road No L2018.

 

 

REPLY:

 

This project will be submitted for the next TII Low Cost Safety Scheme for consideration in September, 2020.

 

 

26.20d

Notice of Motion 6.20 - Cllr. Kilduff - Road Lining Contractor

Minutes:

“That Roscommon County Council engages the services of a road lining contractor to carry out necessary road markings and freshen up existing markings at junctions on local roads throughout the municipal area highlighting priority at these junctions in the interest of public safety”.

REPLY:

 

Road Lining is carried out annually in conjunction with Roads Programme.   All necessary works are carried out during dry weather along improved sections including “Stop Bars” at all junctions.   In this way the road lining is replaced gradually over time.   The maintenance budget is not sufficient to carry out a renewal of all the lining in the Municipal District in a single year.

 

 

26.20e

Notice of Motion 7.20 - Cllr. Ward - R362 at Knocknanool, Brideswell

Minutes:

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to widen the R362 road at Knocknanool, Brideswell as the road is extremely narrow at this location.  This road is in the main route to the towns of Ballygar, Athleague and Roscommon Town.

 

REPLY:

 

This project was submitted through the roads section for inclusion as a Capital Works Scheme however funding has yet to be allocated to it.

 

26.20f

Notice of Motion 8.20 - Cllr. Naughten - Roads at Kilnamanagh, Clonown, Athlone

Minutes:

 

 

 

 

“That Roscommon County Council take in charge the Road serving two council houses at Kilnamanagh, Clonown, Ahtlone.

 

 

REPLY:

 

The road referred to is a cul-de-sac road off the L7585 Doovoge Road, there are two habitable houses located on it, both are ex-County Council cottages.  The road is approximately 375m long by 3.3m wide.  The estimated cost of improving this road to a standard where it can be taken-in-charge is €31,000 including drainage.

 

27.20

Questions

·         5.20 – Cllr. Naughten – Timetable for Part 8 Upgrade of Old Tuam Road.

·         6.20 – Cllr Naughten – Public lighting at Mill Bar and Waterville Estate, Old Tuam Road.

·         7.20 – Cllr. Ward – Update on request for Right turn lane, road marking, signage and public lighting on N61 turn for L7554

·         8.20 – Cllr. Naughten – Progress report on the development of Pedestrian and Cycle access to Colaiste Chiarain Secondary  School.

Minutes:

There were four questions received for noting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27.20a

Question 5.20 - Cllr. Naughten - Update on proposals at New Tuam Road

Minutes:

5.20    Question from Cllr. John Naughten

 

“That Roscommon County Council provide a timetable for adoption of Part 8 to address the upgrade of the New Tuam Rd from the Council Depot to Taughmaconnell Road Junction.”

 

 

Reply:

 

Question 4.20 in Minutes of MD Meeting dated 22.01.2020 stated that the CPO process for this project has commenced.   Question 2.20 from the same meeting stated that the Council await a decision regarding their application to the Department of Transport for funds for this project.

 

 

27.20b

Question 6.20 - Cllr. Naughten - Public Lighting at Mill Bar and Waterville Estate

Minutes:

6.20    Question from Cllr. John Naughten

 

“That Roscommon County Council immediately erect Public Lighting between the Mill Bar and the Waterville estate on the New Tuam Road in the interest of Public Safety.”

 

 

Reply:

 

There is currently no budget for installation of public lights in Athlone Municipal District.   In addition,This location is included in the planned upgrade of the R363 from the Council Depot to Cloonakille, which works are subject to Part 8 Planning and the availability of funds.

 

27.20c

Question 7.20 - Cllr. Ward - Road Issues on N61

Minutes:

7.20    Question from Cllr. Tony Ward.

 

“Is there any update in relation to following?”.

 

At the January 2019 meeting of Athlone MD, I asked the Director of Services if TII had replied to my request to provide a right turn lane, road markings, signage and public lighting for the turn off the N61 to the L7554 St Brigid’s GAA Centre Road, at Curramurragh-Purts, Kiltoom.

 

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply: “TII have approved the appointment of consultants to examine safety issues relating to the N61 from Ganly’s roundabout to the turn for the L7554 St Brigid’s GAA Centre road, The appointment is in progress.”

 

 

Reply:

 

A number of issues have combined to affect progress regarding this matter.   These include the retirement of our Senior Engineer, the appointment of a new TII Safety Officer for Roscommon and Covid 19 pandemic.   Ivor Kilcline SEE Roads Section will raise the issue at his upcoming meeting with the new TII Safety Officer.

 

27.20d

Question 8.20 - Cllr. Naughten - Pedestrian and Cycle Access at Colaiste Chiarain

Minutes:

8.20    Question from Cllr. John Naughten    

 

“That Roscommon County Council give progress report on the development of Pedestrian and Cycle access to Colaiste Chiarain Secondary School.”

 

 

Reply:

 

A preliminary GPS Survey has been carried out at this location t enable options to be examined regarding the installation of works to improve safety.   A detailed survey and design of the proposed works will follow as soon as current restrictions are lifted.

 

 

28.20

Civic Reception Request

Minutes:

There were no request for Civic Reception

29.20

Votes of Congratulations / Sympathy

Minutes:

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

30.20

A.O.B

Minutes:

There were three items discussed under Any Other Business.

 

30.20a

Athleague Sluice Gates

Minutes:

Cllr. Ivan Connaughton raised the issue of the open sluice gates at Athleague, which he believes is in breach of a Court Order.   Cllr. Ivan Connaughton also mentioned the subsequent effects on the local community.   He noted Athleague won the Pride of Place in 2019 and now there is an issue with the appearance and smell when water is low.   Cllr. Ivan Connaughton requested Roscommon County Council act on this matter.

 

Diarmuid MacDonncha SEE, said Roscommon County Council had to abide by Court Order.

 

Liam Bergin Director of Services also stated that it is the courts that enforce the Court Order and not Roscommon County Council, but we could provide evidence in order for them to pursue the matter.

 

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED by all elected members that the breach of court order needs to be addressed urgently as water levels in river are very low at moment.

 

30.20b

New Speed Limit Signage

Minutes:

Cllr. John Naughten raised issue about the new speed limit signs that were due to be erected.   Having concern in particular with the completion of works on the Shannonbridge Road.   He also asked for an update on the town/village renewal in relation to the timeline for works to be carried out around Ardcarn and Dolans garage, Ballinasloe.

 

Paul Browne EE stated that works on the new signage will be completed in the next two weeks.   In relation to the town/village renewal scheme works will commence in the coming weeks.

 

 

30.20c

Retirement - Diarmuid MacDonncha

Minutes:

Congratulations and well wishes were extended to Diarmuid and his family on his retirement on Friday 19th June, from Roscommon County Council were led by the Eugene Cummins CEO.

 

Elected members and officials present wished Diarmuid a long happy retirement in good health with his family.   He was thanked for his contribution over the years in the Athlone MD and for his co-operation and respect he extended to all staff, elected members and public during his time with Roscommon County Council.

 

 

Original text