There was no conflict of interest declared.

·         Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on Friday 21^st July, 2023

·         Minutes of Special Boyle MD Meeting on Thursday 31^st August, 2023

·         Boyle MD Meeting – 21^st July, 2023

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor John Cummins

SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 21^st July, 2023.

·         Boyle MD Interim Meeting 31^st August, 2023

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne

SECONDED by Councillor John Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District Interim meeting on 31^st August, 2023.

On behalf of Cllr. Joe Murphy, Cllr. John Cummins raised the issue of flooding in Strokestown that arose under Any Other Business point 5 on 21^st July 2023. He stated that there has been more intense flooding since then.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell stated that the unusual heavy rainfall, along with surface run off and hard paved areas has meant that gullies and manholes cannot cope as they were not designed for this level of rainfall.  Mr. O’Donnell agreed with Cllr. Cummins & Cllr Byrne that gullies in towns and villages should be maintained.

·         Boyle MD Meeting – 19^th May, 2023

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Liam Callaghan

SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED to approve the project revision by Coircal Chruachain under the Boyle MD Fund 2023.

That Roscommon County Council make funds available to put a Pedestrian Crossing in Croghan in the interest of safety by slowing traffic and leaving it safe to cross the road.   Cllr. V. Byrne

Motion from Councillor Valerie Byrne:  That Roscommon County Council make funds available to put a pedestrian crossing in Croghan in the interest of safety by slowing traffic and leaving it safe to cross the road.

Response:

Boyle Area Office have looked at this proposal and are including it in the funding application for Safety Schemes 2024.

Cllr. John Cummins raised the issue of speeding traffic through village of Ballinameen and that a pedestrian crossing, similar to one in Ballyfarnon should be installed.  He added that Ballinameen needs a traffic management system such as narrowed traffic lanes, etc.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor John Cummins

SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Byrne

It was AGREED to propose that a pedestrian crossing be installed in Ballinameen as a traffic calming measure.

Greg O’Donnell clarified that the issue in Ballinameen would come under Active Travel and that a study of the traffic situation would need to be carried out.

Cllr. Tom Crosby gave his support to motion raised under the Safety Scheme and he also supported proposal for Ballinameen.  Cllr. Crosby added that there is an issue with the road surface in Tarmonbarry village resulting in road noise for residents on the national primary, especially at night time.

Greg O’Donnell stated that the Tarmonbarry road is on a schedule of works by TII and he will follow up regarding timeline, etc.

Cllr. Liam Callaghan asked what section manages the Active Travel.

Greg O’Donnell clarified that Active Travel comes under the Roads Section.

Greg O’Donnell will give a full update on Active Travel projects in the Boyle MD Area - those at feasibility stage or completed and what projects are being looked at for 2025. Money allocated for 2024 will likely be used on Ballaghaderreen project. Future projects will depend on value for money, population size, etc.

Cllr Crosby noted lack of progress on the Termonbarry to Whitehall ActiveTravel project.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell advised it was a low priority due to the poor cost/benefit ratio; agreed to look at the possibility of doing a portion of the works to link development with Termonbarry.    

Mr. Ivor Kilcline stated that the Part 8 Plan for Elphin – footpath and roads – is being rolled out.

Councillor Michael Mulligan asked about the Ballaghaderreen Regeneration Project that was passed by Boyle MD in October 2021.  He stated that the Ballaghaderreen Town Team received an update on the Square Project and that the notice from Roscommon Co. Council stated “as per meeting Monday attached Final Plans for Square.”  Cllr. M Mulligan asked for confirmation of this and if there was a second plan different to that passed in October 2021. 

Mr. Ivor Kilcline confirmed there is only the one plan unchanged since that passed in October 2021 and it is currently out to tender.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell agreed to get clarification for Cllr. Mulligan on the actual plan and also confirmed that the plan passed in October 2021 is unchanged

Cllr. Valerie Byrne stated that Active Travel was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.23

Please provide an update on the work that was to take place between Jamestown and Drumsna.  Money allocated some years back to get a design done and, as yet, that has not happened. Is this money still available for the design and will some of it be allocated to get the works started?  - Cllr. V. Byrne

Question:  Cllr. Valerie Byrne:  Please provide an update on the work that was to take place between Jamestown and Drumsna.  Money allocated some years back to get a design done and, as yet, that has not happened. Is this money still available for the design and will some of it be allocated to get the work started?

Response:

Roscommon County Council has engaged Consultants with a view to developing an Inter Urban Greyway Pilot connection between Drumsna and Jamestown Villages on the L 1037.

Funding of €25,000 was received in the 2023 allocations to progress the scheme.

The project is currently at Stage I: Scheme Assessment, Concept Development, Options Selection and Preliminary Design.

Roscommon County Council hope to have the Options selection and preliminary design report by the end of September 2023 for submission to the NTA for approval.

Greg O’Donnell clarified that no funding has been received for this Active Travel project to date. 

Cllr. Valerie Byrne stated that Leitrim Co Council has also looked for update on the Greyway.  Boyle MD will keep pushing for the project to get it through the stages to completion.  Some difficulty with the initial design has also delayed the project which is on-going for 3-4 years.

Councillors who wish to express sympathy or congratulations to forward to Gerardine Lafferty.

There were  no proposals for Civic Reception 2023.

Cllr Tom Crosby raised the following items:

·         School at Cloonfour – update on funding application

Mr. Ivor Kilcline stated that funding has been reallocated for Cloonfour.  Works should commence in 3-4 weeks. Lights update – solar lights, road markings, etc.

·         Rooskey Regeneration Scheme – 1 small section of footpath at the Community Centre needs to be completed

Mr. Ivor Kilcline confirmed that this has been agreed and that section in front of Centre will be concreted in next 4-5 weeks.

·         Update on N5

Greg O’Donnell stated that there is no further update since last meeting.  He confirmed that one valid tender had been received and was evaluated by the RDO. Council hopeful that contract will be procured in Q4 2023.  Department of Transport had to look at re applying for the funding for this project due to the higher costs involved which has well exceeded original estimate  If contract awarded in 2023, work should commence early 2024.

Post meeting update:

On 26^th September 2023, Cabinet announced approval of the N5-Scramogue Road project for €450m.

Boundary Fences on N5: Cllr. Liam Callaghan stated that there are issues regarding the division of land and that some farmers not happy – boundary fences should all be put back in place.

Cllr. Valerie Byrne had the following issues:

N5 CPO Payments: Cllr. Valerie Byrne asked if all CPO payments sorted and

that this would need to be resolved before Q1 2024. 

Traffic Noise N4 Boyle Side:road surface noise on the N61 from the soccer pitch to its junction with the N4 had increased – could be linked to surface and/or speeds?

Survey of Rivers in County– when is this being done.  Local rivers need cleaning especially with the recent increase in rail fall.  Land flooding, rivers overflowing.  Can a list of rivers under the control of Roscommon Co. Council be obtained and can members get a schedule for the other rivers under OPW and why some rivers are done, and others not.

Mr. Ivor Kilcline responded and stated that Roscommon Co. Council is not responsible for all rivers in County.  There is a set amount.  Roscommon Co. Council make returns on those rivers to OPW annually.  A list of rivers under OPW will be obtained for next meeting.

            Greg O’Donnell stated that in relation to maintenance of rivers, there has been a change of thought in that rivers should be left untouched so as not to accelerate the flow of water to somewhere else.  Draining allows river to flow faster. EPA water reports indicate that JCB cleaning drains or creating drains on farm land causes more damage.

Cllr. Valerie Byrne stated that it is back then on the farmer which is not good enough.  Land affected by flooding, cost implication very unfair to farmers.

Ivy on Roadside Trees:  Trees alongside roads being destroyed by ivy – can anything be done? Very expensive on landowners to carry out maintenance works, e.g ESB, Eir, traffic management,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.23