23.23 (a)   Cloonfower School – Safety Measures

Mr. Ivor Kilcline informed meeting that funding for the safety measures is being reviewed – possibly from Discretionary Fund.  Scheme includes replacing lights and putting in road markings.  Newly appointed Technician to look at design.

23.23 (b) Signage at Elphin Secondary School

Cllr. V. Byrne asked about signage at Secondary School in Elphin. Mr. Ivor Kilcline agreed to look at this with Area Engineer.

23.23 (c) Speed on N61 Section at Shankhill

Cllr. V. Byrne also raised issue of speeding on N61 section at Shankhill.  Private residents cannot get onto the main road.  Mr. Ivor Kilcline to follow up on this.

23.23 (d) Provision for people who have received eviction notices

Cllr. M. Mulligan asked what provisions are being made for private tenants who have received eviction notices.

He was informed that this will be raised at the Council Meeting next Monday 27^th March with the Housing Department.

23.23 (e) Carpark at Cortober Railway Station

Cllr. V. Byrne asked for update on this and what can be done to progress this further.

Mr. I. Kilcline informed meeting that this was discussed with the Irish Rail Area Manager who informed him that Irish Rail cannot obtain additional land for car park extension.  There is ground owned by ESB but discussions are proving difficult.

Mr. I. Kilcline has agreed to arrange a meeting with ESB and Irish Rail and will report back at next Boyle MD meeting in May 2023.

23.23 (f) Lugnashammer, Croghan– bad bend 5-6 houses affected

Cllr. V. Byrne stated that residents here would be agreeable to contributing to costs associated with solving this problem. 

Mr. I. Kilcline outlined the issues with this section of road, the main one being that residents don’t have a sightline to see on-coming traffic.  This is due in part to the mature hedging and shrubbery in neighbours’ gardens. 

Cllr. V. Byrne asked if speed could be reduced on this section.

Mr. G. O’Donnell stated that this is not feasible as the issue is with the sight line.   An option to set bend back and increase sight line would require the co-operation of the land owner.  Signs, etc. to be reinstated.

Cllr. V. Byrne asked if meeting could be had with residents.

Mr. I. Kilcline informed meeting that a meeting with some residents had taken place.  The solution to this problem would require cooperation from landowner on west side along with each resident taking responsibility for cutting back their hedging and shrubbery to facilitate their neighbour’s sight line.  Funding would be available if landowner agreed to give ground at bend but neighbours would have to agree to maintain their hedging and shrubbery going forward and to maintaining same.  Any intervention by RCC would require a legal agreement with residents for sight line maintenance.

Cllr. J Cummins asked if owners were willing to agree and cooperate with the above, would funding be available.

Mr. G. O’Donnell stated that such funding would be made available to solve this issue.

23.23 (g) Update on Tenders for N5

Cllr. J. Cummins asked for update on N5 tender.

Mr. G. O’Donnell informed meeting that today at 4.00 p.m. was the closing date for tenders.  Tenders will be assessed by the NRDO and will take a several weeks. 

23.23 (h) Road Margins on N5

Cllr. J. Cummins highlighted issue with road margins on N5.  A number of lorries have gone off the road due to the fact that the national road is built higher than the edges of the road.

Mr. G. O’Donnell informed meeting that €1.6m has been allocated under National Primary Roads Pavement Renewal Scheme 2023 for the N5 Frenchpark to Bellanagare section.

Cllr. J. Cummins asked if a temporary measure could be put in place while N5 is being built, especially section where lorries are going in.

Mr. G. O’Donnell stated that TII do not usually carry out temporary works.  He added that regional roads are also experiencing accelerated wear and tear due to diversions and the volume and speed of HGVs.

Cllr. M. Mulligan agreed with Cllr. J. Cummins regarding state of road edges and mentioned Peg Bridge, outside Loughglynn.

Cllr. V. Byrne stated her concern regarding N61 Shankhill and that the overlay would not be too high that would lead to similar problems as with N5.

Cllr. T. Crosby supported Cllr. J. Cummins regarding Road Margins and added that R371 at Kilglass also very bad with lorries jack-knifing on this stretch.

23.23 (i) Active Travel allocation and top up for footpath Tarmonbarry to Whitehall School

Cllr. T. Crosby asked for progress on this.  €80,000 has been allocated in 2022 and €21,000 allocated in 2023 under Local Roads Surface Dressing. 

Mr. G. O’Donnell informed meeting that this was raised with T. McDermott who is awaiting the consultant’s final design report.  Initial costings appear to be high and may affect project feasibility.

Cllr. T. Crosby stated that there are 4 housing estates on route to school - could it be done in phases?

Mr. G. O’Donnell stated that design consultants looked at costs, boundaries, old buildings that back onto road, etc. and costs are very high.  Mr. G. O’Donnell will share details with meeting as soon as are available.

23.23 (j) Boyle MD Staff Departures

Cllr. J. Cummins informed meeting that Adrian Kielty who managed the Regeneration Project in Boyle is moving to Longford Co Council and wished his well in his new post.

Cllr. V. Byrne stated that Adrian did great work on the N61 and wished him well in his new post and expressed the hope that he would be back sometime in the future.

Cllr. V. Byrne informed meeting the Andrew Ganley, Strokestown Area Engineer, was moving to Leitrim County Council and wish to express her thanks for all the work Andres had done.

Cllr. J. Murphy added his good wishes to Andrew and stated that he did immense work and was very approachable and always followed up on issues.

Cllr. T. Crosby wished Andrew well in his new post.  He added the number changes in Area Engineers was concerning.