John Mockler introduced the Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works for 2021 including the Roads Programme 2021 and presented the programme for the national and regional roads. Overall there is an increase in funding of €720,000 in 2021.  John explained that it will be very challenging to deliver this programme with the current Covid-19 restrictions.  Neal Geraghty presented the programme for the local roads.

The following points were raised by the members-

• Cllr. Fitzmaurice welcomed the programme but raised an issue regarding the low budget for gritting local roads and

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that €10,000 from the discretionary grant be transferred to winter maintenance for gritting local roads.

• Cllr. Fitzmaurice requested that the TII be informed of the essential works required on the Castlerea west to Ballinlough road especially at Meelickduff.
• Cllr. Leyden welcomed the programme, the inclusion of Lisnamult and requested additional speed ramps in Lisnamult at Thornfield Drive following resurfacing works.
• Cllr. Leyden mentioned that resurfacing works are required on the other approach roads in Roscommon Town and

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was agreed that Goff street and Church street will be included in the Roads Programme for 2022.

• Cllr. Shanagher welcomed the roads programme and enquired if there was funding to remove the hedging surrounding the playground in Loughnaneane park and commented that European symbols might be a better option for the gym equipment signage.
• Cllr. Dineen welcomed the roads programme and enquired if €80,000 was sufficient to cover the works at Ardeevin
• Cllr. Leyden enquired if the playground at Lisnamult was a Council playground
• Cllr. Fitzmaurice asked if it was a Department requirement to do surface dressing rather than road restoration and in the future could we look more towards road restoration.
• Cllr. Fitzmaurice requested that the maintenance issues at Somers park be carried out.

John Mockler and Neal Geraghty responded to the issues raised

• John Mockler explained that we get €10.2 million euros for restoration improvement.  We have already applied to the Department to transfer some money into restoration improvement but ultimately it is the Department that makes that decision.
• There is no issue with the inclusion of Goff street and Church street in next year’s programme.
• Roscommon County Council do not get a lot of input into what projects the TII will fund, however, we will keep pressure on them to carry out works on the N60 from Castlerea to Ballinlough.
• John Mockler stated that there won’t be any extra roads included in the gritting programme as we already have a very good winter maintenance plan for County Roscommon with everyone living within 3 or 4kms of a treated road.  We will however send out additional resources to clear junctions and roads as required.
• The budget for severe weather does not relate to gritting of roads but is needed to cover expenditure caused by flooding and high winds.
• John Mockler clarified that a portion of the playground at Lisnamult was maintained, inspected and insured by Roscommon County Council, however there was an additional part added by a local group.
• Neal Geraghty explained that the €80,000 allocation for Ardeevin will cover the drainage works and the additional €50,000 will cover the restoration improvement works.
• Roscommon MD have received some quotations for different options relating to the hedging at Loughnaneane park and will come back to the members with a plan when all the prices are submitted.
• Neal Geraghty agreed to attend to the maintenance issues at Somers park.

A general discussion regarding the Draft Roads Programme took place and following that;

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was AGREED by all the members to adopt the Schedule of Municipal District Works including the Roads Programme for the Roscommon Municipal District for 2021.