4.24 Question - Cllr Tom Crosby

Could the Director of Service kindly provide a comprehensive update on the current status of the design development and funding allocation for the construction of footpaths and public lighting infrastructure from Tarmonbarry Village to the local National school, aimed at enhancing accessibility and safety for residents residing in the four newly established housing estates along the designated route to the school. Notably an allocation of €80,000 was designated in the 2022 active travel budget, with an additional top-up of €20,000 in the 2023 budget.

5.24Question - Cllr Tom Crosby

Could the Director of Service kindly provide an update with the progress on the new proposed public lighting in Rooskey Village.

6.24 Question - Cllr Sean Moylan

Have the council any update on the footpath upgrades in Forest view and Mockmoyne in Boyle as they are in terrible condition?

7.24 Question - Cllr Sean Moylan

At the new carpark being developed at the Woodenbridge in Drum- Is current access under the N4 to the boat sheds going to be blocked? Is there going to be a height restriction barrier going to be used on entry to the new carpark?

8.24 Question - Cllr. Leah Cull

Who is responsible for the upkeep of the Boyle to Lough Key cycle track?

9.24 Question - Cllr. Michéal Frain

Can Roscommon County Council staff carry out an audit of all outdoor amenities in this MD area, to ascertain the condition of the facilities, and the condition of the equipment therein. 

As funding streams are due to open shortly, it would be extremely helpful to have an assessment carried out, as funding for repairs and replacement, may need to be considered shortly by the Council and local organisations. 

4.24 Question 1: Cllr Tom Crosby

Could the Director of Service kindly provide a comprehensive update on the current status of the design development and funding allocation for the construction of footpaths and public lighting infrastructure from Tarmonbarry Village to the local National school, aimed at enhancing accessibility and safety for residents residing in the four newly established housing estates along the designated route to the school. Notably an allocation of €80,000 was designated in the 2022 active travel budget, with an additional top-up of €20,000 in the 2023 budget.

Response: 

Roscommon County Council engaged Consultants to assist in progressing the Tarmonbarry Footpath link from the Village to Whitehall National School along the L-1416 in 2022. The Feasibility and Options Selection Report for the project was prepared by the consultants in 2023. The project is currently at National Transport Authority (NTA) Phase 2: Concept Development and Options Selection however no funding was received in 2024 to progress the project onto the Preliminary Design phase.

 5.24 Question 2: Cllr Tom Crosby

Could the Director of Service kindly provide an update with the progress on the proposed public lighting upgrade in Rooskey Village.

Response: 

“Assets and Energy Management are working towards upgrading all public lighting in the county. Proposed works in Rooskey have not yet been scheduled by Roscommon County Council’s public lighting contractor but it is expected that all upgrades will be completed by 31^st October 2024. This excludes all those public lighting assets which must first be unbundled from the ESB network, the extent of which has not yet been determined for Rooskey. Assets and Energy Management will provide further updates on this matter in due course.”

6.24 Question 1: Cllr. Sean Moylan

Have the council any update on the footpath upgrades in Forest view and Mockmoyne in Boyle as they are in terrible condition?

Response:

A list of footpath priorities has been drawn up based on currently available funding.  Forest View is not in this first tranche of priority schemes.  The Boyle MD will assess the footpaths in Forest View in relation to future footpath repair priorities.

Mockmoyne Road (R294) is on a priority list but will likely be scheduled for works in 2025.  There was a recent proposal from elected members to consider traffic calming at this location.  Accordingly traffic calming and footpath works may need to be considered collectively. 

7.24 Question 2: Cllr. Sean Moylan

At the new carpark being developed at the Woodenbridge in Drum-

Is current access under the N4 to the boat sheds going to be blocked?

Is there going to be a height restriction barrier going to be used on entry to the new carpark?

Response:

1.    The approved access to boathouses located on the North bank of the Boyle river is via the accommodation road constructed as part of the development of the N4 road project. The issue of access under the N4 Boyle river bridge is currently under investigation by Roscommon County Council.

2.    A height restriction barrier was not provided for as part of on-going enhancement works to the existing carpark at Woodenbridge.

8.24 Question:  Cllr. Leah Cull

Who is responsible for the upkeep of the Boyle to Lough Key cycle track?

Combination Response:

Where cycle tracks or cycle ways are part of the public road network, they fall under the LA’s responsibility.  For example, the Boyle MD Office is responsible for the street cleaning of the cycleway between the two arches and agrees to carry out any necessary cleaning or maintenance works on this section of the cycle way.

However, it should be noted that the Department has not provided any specific funding for the ongoing general maintenance of cycle ways, cycle tracks or greenways and this will need to be addressed as additional cycling infrastructure is provided. 

In relation to cycling facilities within the grounds of Lough Key Forest Park, a MOU & Licence Agreement, which covers the developments & maintenance of Lough Key Forest Park Cycle Corridor, was executed on the 02/10/2019 & runs for a 10 year period.  Roscommon County Council is committed to the maintenance of the trail & associated infrastructure for the above mentioned agreement period.

9.24 Question:  Cllr. Michéal Frain

Can Roscommon County Council staff carry out an audit of all outdoor amenities in this MD area, to ascertain the condition of the facilities, and the condition of the equipment therein?  

As funding streams are due to open shortly, it would be extremely helpful to have an assessment carried out, as funding for repairs and replacement, may need to be considered shortly by the Council and local organisations.   

Response:

An annual revenue budget is provided to the Municipal Districts to meet the costs of maintaining the various outdoor amenities around the county.  Outdoor amenities include 24 playgrounds, of which 16 are Council owned and eight community playgrounds. There are seven playgrounds in Boyle Municipal District (Ballaghaderreen, Keadue (Community), Cootehall, three in Boyle and one in Elphin (Community).  Annual inspections of the playgrounds and outdoor gym equipment are carried out by a suitably qualified third-party contractor.

In 2024 the Boyle Municipal District received €119,500.00 to meet costs associated with maintaining outdoor amenities.  Other than the revenue budget for maintenance and repair, the Roads and Transportation Department has no other source of funding for outdoor amenities. The provision of playgrounds and playground equipment comes under the remit of the Community Department who may be able to avail of grant funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and the Clár Programme (DRCD) when such funding is available.