John Mockler introduced the Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works for 2019 and outlined the work that the Municipal District carries out. 

The members queried as to why we are now contracting out housing repairs.  Martin Lydon explained that by contracting out the work we are able to respond quicker to customers and it is working well.  He agreed to look for information from the Housing department to assess how many calls we are contracting out and if value for money is being met.  This will provide the rationale for a change in direction regarding who carries out housing repairs in the long term.

Eugene Dwyer presented the National Roads section of the Draft Roads Programme for the Roscommon Municipal District for 2019.

The members raised the following matters

·         Timing of work due to be carried out at Church Road and Patrick Street in Castlerea town and a request that work be held off until June and carried out in the evening time if possible

·         Request for ducting at Patrick’s Street junction in Castlerea, Williamstown and Loughglynn junctions to allow for traffic lights in the future

·         Update requested on the Oran job

·         Update requested on urgent works required on the N60 Ballymoe to Castlerea road

Eugene Dwyer responded to the issues raised

·         As both junctions are on national roads the Safety Department of the TII will need to be consulted before any works can take place.

·         We need to agree with Irish Water the amount of money they will contribute towards the final reinstatement of the road in Castlerea after the water main is laid.

·         We are assessing tenders at the moment for the Oran job and we are close to awarding a contract with work hopefully starting in April providing the Board of the TII gives approval.

·         We applied at the end of January for €200,000 to repair the worst section of the road from Ballymoe to Castlerea.  We have this project prioritised as the most urgent.  We hope to get funding for the full scheme for 2020.

John Mockler presented the Regional and Local roads section of the Draft Roads Programme for the Roscommon Municipal District for 2019. 

Eugene Dwyer expressed his concern at spending €350,000 in Cloontuskert and that in his professional capacity advised that the job should be phased.

Cllr. Leyden stated that extensive discussion took place on this issue at the January meeting.  A decision was made at that meeting not to phase the job as it would end up much more expensive in the long run and that is why the total job is included in the Draft Roads Programme for 2019. 

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 that if any other low cost safety scheme does not go ahead that the Oran/Killinratty scheme be included instead as a priority.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Dineen

                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 2019.