Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2019

Minutes of Meeting of Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday 21st October 2019 at 3.45 p.m. in Meeting Room 1, Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Martin Baker
  • Councillor Michael Clarke
  • Councillor Martin Connolly
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey
  • Councillor Joseph Queenan
  • Councillor Paul Taylor (Chair)

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Emer Concannon, Senior Engineer
  • Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Fergus Meehan, A/Senior Executive Engineer
  • Joseph Devaney, Area Engineer
  • David Golden, Area Engineer
  • Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor, presided and welcomed those present to the meeting.  He extended sympathies to the family of the late Mr. Joe Shannon (R.I.P.) who had served two terms on Sligo County Council. Councillor Taylor proposed a short adjournment of the meeting as a mark of respect to the late former Councillor which was agreed by Members.

Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather also extended sympathies to the Shannon family on behalf of the Executive.

 

The business of the meeting resumed at 4 p.m.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 29th JULY 2019:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 29th July 2019”.

 

2.  MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor Dara Mulvey asked for an update on the situation regarding the taking in charge of Temple Manor Estate in Ballinacarrow. Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance, advised that an update would be circulated following the meeting.

 

3.  REPORT ON N17 KNOCK TO COLLOONEY SCHEME:

Mr. Fergus Meehan, A/Senior Executive Engineer, began by explaining to Members that one of the main objectives of the National Planning Framework and the Atlantic Economic Corridor is ‘Enhanced Regional Accessibility’. As part of increasing this accessibility, the N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme is one project which is prioritised for construction in the National Development Plan – the investment strategy underpinning the National Planning Framework. This is an ‘in-house’ led project with Sligo acting as the Lead Authority.

The Scheme is 55km long and interacts with 3 no. National Roads, 10 no. Regional Roads and numerous Local Roads.  Mr. Meehan advised that the project is currently in Phase 2 ‘Options Selection’ with public consultation No. 1 taking place in Charlestown and Tubbercurry on 24th and 25th October next respectively.

Mr. Meehan highlighted the ‘Constraints Study Area’ to Members explaining that the design process will seek to avoid the constraints identified. It is envisaged that it will take up to two years for the completion of the route selection. In the meantime, any planning applications pertaining to the area will be referred to the Roads Project Office.

Following queries from Members, Mr. Meehan advised as follows:

  • When the preferred route is selected, a decision will be required as to whether it will take the form of one project or various smaller projects.
  • It is envisaged that the constraints area will be refined within one year.
  • It is likely that Government approval will be required before progressing to Phase 4 (Statutory Processes).
  • The Western Rail Corridor will not be affected.

The Cathaoirleach and Members thanked Mr. Meehan for his presentation and welcomed the progress being made to date.

 

4.  INCLUSION OF ROADS IN UPGRADE REPAIRS FOR 2020:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly

AND AGREED

“I ask that road 4 from Carrowmurray towards Carha, Coolaney and road L55073 at Carrowcushly, Ballymote be included in upgrade repairs for 2020”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, A/Senior Executive Engineer, reported as follows:

Road from Carrowmurray towards Carha, Coolaney:

The section of roadway is included in the Restoration Improvement Programme 2020 (listed as CR 513 Carrowbanny) and it is also hoped to include a further section of the route onto the Restoration Maintenance Programme 2020 subject to funding.

L55073:

The road is not included in the adopted Restoration Improvement Grant Multi-Annual Programme for 2020. It is a cul-de-sac and could be considered for a Community Improvement Scheme if an application was made by the property owners along the road.

In reply, Councillor Dara Mulvey advised that the percentage of funding required to be raised by the community under a Community Improvement Scheme would be significant so as an interim measure, he will liaise with the Area Engineer to see if some of the dips and hollows can be filled.

 

5.  IMPROVEMENT OF SIGHTLINES EXITING THE CULTIBAR LINK ROAD AT CARROWLEAM, COOLANEY:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“I ask that minor work is undertaken to remove a small section of ditch to improve sightline vision for motorists exiting the Cultibar link road at Carrowleam, Coolaney”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that the location will be jointly inspected by the Area Engineer and Councillor Mulvey in the coming weeks to ascertain the extent of works required to improve sightlines from the L68043-0. If the landowner is in agreement, a programme of works can then be developed.

 

It was agreed that Item Numbers 6 & 11 be taken together.

6.  ERECTION OF BUS SHELTER IN O’CONNELL STREET, BALLYMOTE:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to erect a bus shelter in O’Connell Street, Ballymote”.

AND

11.  PROVISION OF TWO BUS SHELTERS ON N17 AT CURRY VILLAGE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Connolly
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to provide two bus shelters on the N17 at Curry village”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that the Council have contacted the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to identifying priorities for bus shelters throughout the County however there is limited funding available and demand is high.

A brief discussion followed regarding alternative means of providing shelters at the proposed locations, at the end of which it was felt that as the shelters provided by the NTA are of high quality, it may be more beneficial to wait and see if funding will be provided for same.

 

7.  ERECTION OF VILLAGE SIGNS ON APPROACHES TO BALLINAFAD:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to erect village signs on the approaches to Ballinafad”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that suitable locations will be considered and the signs installed subject to available funding.

 

8.  APPLICATION FOR LOW COST ACCIDENT SCHEME AT COOLA CROSSROADS:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to apply for a Low-Cost Accident Scheme at Coola Crossroads on the R284”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that as the application deadline for 2020 has closed, consideration will be given to the location for a Low-Cost Accident Scheme in 2021.

 

9.  UPDATE RE: FUTURE FUNDING ON N59 BETWEEN BELTRA AND MAYO BORDER:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services to give an update regarding future funding on the N59 between Beltra and the Mayo border”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, reported that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (T.I.I.) have identified 4km of the N59 between Owenbeg and Culleens for pavement reconstruction in 2020. A number of safety issues have also been identified that could be delivered if the required land take is available.

Councillor Queenan thanked Mr. Hughes for his report and asked that consultation be entered into prior to works commencing on the 4km stretch of road referred to above.

 

10.  UPGRADE OF PUBLIC TOILETS IN ENNISCRONE:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services to allocate funding for an upgrade of the public toilets in Enniscrone”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that the 2 no. public toilets in Enniscrone (at the beach and pier) would benefit from upgrading should funding be available. The estimated cost of upgrading works is in the region of €45,000.

Councillor Queenan requested that the facilities be considered for upgrading over the next few years and manned more frequently to avoid damage/vandalism occurring.

 

12.  INSTALLATION OF WARNING SIGNS FOR DEER ON RIVERSTOWN-COOPERSHILL ROAD AND N4 AT DRUMFIN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To ask for signs to be put up on the Riverstown-Coopershill road and the N4 at Drumfin for deer”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, assured the meeting that signs will be ordered and erected in the coming weeks.

Councillor Michael Clarke requested that similar signs be ordered for the Ladies Brae area also.

 

13.  INSTALLATION OF DUCTING FOR CCTV IN PARTS OF NEW N4:

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To ask if ducting could be installed in parts of the new N4 for C.C.T.V.”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, informed Members that longitudinal ducting will be provided in the road verges for the full extent of the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road project as part of the construction contract. Traverse ducting shall also be provided at the start and end of the project and at 500m intervals along the full length of the mainline.

In reply to a query regarding the possibility of installing C.C.T.V. at a later date, Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, advised Members that it is likely that it will only be possible to provide the ducting.

 

14.  INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON N17 AT CURRY VILLAGE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Connolly
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to install a pedestrian crossing on the N17 at Curry village”.

Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, informed the meeting that a number of safety issues have been identified in and around Curry village by T.I.I. and the above proposal could be considered while developing the Feasibility Report for these issues.

 

15.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Noted.

 

16.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor, extended his sympathies to Mr. Dessie Sloyan, Area Engineer, on the passing of his grandmother, Mrs. Josephine Reynolds.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 17.00 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 21/10/2019