2.21 – Cllr Valerie Byrne – Acquisition of land for road safety works

3.21 – Cllr T. Crosby – Funding for footpath and lighting along the Ballytoohey Road,

           Tarmonbarry.

2.21                       Notice of Motion from Cllr. Byrne

That Roscommon County start the process of Acquisitioning of lands and draw up a detailed design  for the following two roads.

1.        Enagh, Croghan on the R370 (Croghan cr to Rathalancross)

2.         Deerpark on the R368-16  Elphin / Carrick on Shannon road

Both of these roads are very dangerous and in line with safety I request that they are placed on a programme to start the process to relieve these dangerous situations.

    Reply:

  The constraints of the Restoration Improvement Grant are such that only   works to the road carriageway are eligible for funding.

  Your representations in respect of the R368 and R370 require additional works viz a viz land acquisition, relocation of roadside boundary fences and some minimal carriageway widening.

  The only viable source of funding currently available for this type of work is the Low Cost Accident Remedial Measures Scheme.  The ceiling for funding under this particular scheme is around €30,000 for projects annually but schemes can be funded on a phased basis over two or more years.

 We propose to submit applications for both these locations in the current year with the intention of securing initial funding in 2022

 Cllr Byrne responded by agreeing with the proposal to submit applications under the Low Cost Accident Remedial Measures Scheme for these locations but stated that this money would not be sufficient to cover works required at these locations.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Boyle Municipal District Co-Ordinator informed the members that Specific Road Improvement Schemes are unavailable.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services,  stated that the Low Cost Accident Remedial Measures Scheme is the best option.

3.21                       Notice of Motion from Cllr. Crosby

Would the director of services update the meeting on the current situation in relation to securing funding to provide a footpath and public lighting on the very busy and densely populated 2 km stretch along the Ballytoohey Road out of Tarmonbarry Village to the local full to capacity National Primary School. 

Apart from the 32 family homes buildt along both sides of this road there is also four relatively new large housing estates serviced by the road. These residential estates were subject to special development charges to insure that a footpath and public lighting would be provided as an essential safety measure.

    Reply:

Following representation the works requested to the Ballytoohey Road were considered for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and found to be ineligible.  There is a probability that this project might qualify in part or in whole for funding under the Active Travel Scheme and we will investigate this possibility and make a submission for funding subject to the scheme criteria. 

Development contributions are to benefit the development in the area of a planning authority and are not specific to areas or estates unless a special contribution for a particular purpose was conditioned.  Regarding the four estates on this road, there were no special contributions levied for the purposes of footpaths or public lighting.

Cllr Crosby responded by saying that Tarmonbarry is the fastest growing village in the County and basic facilities should be in place.  Cllr Murphy supported Cllr Crosby and stated he hoped funding would be available for this work.  Cllr Callaghan responded by saying the Active Travel Scheme should be followed up on for this area.