Minutes 2022

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 11th April 2022 at 2.00pm in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Marie Casserly (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Donal Gilroy
  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Declan Noone, Senior Executive Engineer

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Jim Molloy, Director of Services
  • Fineen O’ Driscoll, A/Director of Services
  • Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Marie Casserly welcomed all present to the meeting.

A vote of sympathy was extended to Mr. Declan Noone on the passing of his uncle, John Doyle.

Agreed and

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 14TH FEBRUARY 2022:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

 

2.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 14TH MARCH 2022:

Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

 

3.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 21ST MARCH 2022:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

 

4.  MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor Gilroy queried whether there was a quorum present for the meeting held on 21st March 2022.  Mr. J. Molloy stated that this would be clarified with Mr. K. Colreavy.

 

Councillor Healy requested a response to a Notice of Motion from the meeting held on 21st March as follows:

‘To call on Sligo County Council to include the Municipal areas of Sligo/Drumcliff and Ballymote/Tubbercurry in the Street Cleaning Programme”

This was noted and a response is to be forwarded.

 

5.  REPORT ON SURVEY TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 2019 ON COLLOONEY TO BALLYGAWLEY ROAD AT JUNCTION TO DOWRA ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

Mr. F. O’ Driscoll gave a report stating that the erection of appropriate additional advance warning signage at this location will be included in the works programme. 

Councillor Healy requested that an update be given as to whether this survey had been carried out.

Councillor T. Walsh and Councillor M. Casserly supported this motion.  The safety issues regarding this road were highlighted by the members and a detailed assessment of this junction was requested by the members.

 

6.  TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN COLLOONEY VILLAGE:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

Mr. F. O’Driscoll gave a report stating that two Rural Regional Development Fund (RRDF) applications relating to this had been unsuccessful.  Sligo County Council will consider other options available that would involve minimalist proposals and low-cost intervention in terms of signage and lining.  Any traffic management proposals will require public consultation and any progress will be subject to resources and finance being available to implement.  There are no RRDF Category 2 schemes open for application at present.

Councillor T. Healy responded by stating that the consideration of a one-way system in Collooney was initiated in 2011, followed by a meeting held with the residents and business owners in 2019.  It was requested in 2020, that a trail run be conducted in the village to ascertain the viability of such a system.

Councillor T. Healy requested the following actions:

  • The area engineer meets with the residents and business owners in Collooney
  • That this item be left on the agenda for the next Municipal District Meeting
  • To get a report on the RRDF applications so as to ascertain how future applications can be improved
  • To arrange a trial one-way system in the village to see how it would work
  • That a public consultation be held at the earliest convenience

Councillor T. Healy also referred to the pedestrian crossing in Collooney. It was requested that a meeting be arranged with the TII to get an update on progress on this crossing.

Councillor T. Walsh supported this motion and suggested that Sligo County Council engineering staff conduct a formal consultation prior to any future RRDF funding applications. 

Mr. J. Molloy agreed that the consultation phase is critical.  He stated that he would discuss this issue with the Active Travel Team Unit which has been recently set up.

Councillor T. Healy welcomed this progress.

 

7.  SAFETY CONCERNS WITH PARKING AND DRIVING

IN UNION WOOD:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor M. Walsh

Mr. F. O’ Driscoll gave a report stating that the Area Engineer had carried out an assessment and had determined that there were no issues regarding safety for pedestrians.  There are a number of pull in bays along the route and there are no plans currently to construct parking facilities.

Councillor T. Healy responded that he had sent the area engineer photographs of a number of cars that had gone into ditches and of flooded roads.  He highlighted the need for infrastructure and requested that this issue be considered again.

Councillor T. Walsh highlighted the progress made on the Ballygawley side of Union Wood with a new carpark and walkway being progressed through funding received from Minister Humphreys, Department of Rural and Community Development with continued expansion of facilities in Union Wood planned.

 

8.  RESURFACE OF OLD BOG ROADS TO IMPROVE CYCLING INFRASTRUTCTURE IN NORTH SLIGO INCLUDING CLIFFONEY:

This motion was deferred.

 

9.  FUNDING FOR CAR PARK IN MULLAGHMORE FOR RESURFACING AND ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

Mr. F. O’Driscoll gave a report stating that due to the close proximity of the SAC, environmental constraints will need considerations before determining whether this project is viable or not.  Sligo County Council will progress as resources allow.

Councillor M. Casserly stated that she was confident that there would be an improvement which would take the SAC into consideration.

 

10.  ONE WAY SYSTEM FOR DIVERTED TRAFFIC OFF N15 BETWEEN CLIFFONEY AND GRANGE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND

20.  SYSTEM OF DETOURS WHEN ACCIDENTS OCCUR ON N15:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

Items 10 and 20 were taken together.

Mr. F. O’ Driscoll gave a report stating that Sligo County Council will arrange a meeting with An Garda Síochána to consider the detour route options available when responding to an emergency road closure on the N15.

Councillor M. Casserly welcomed that there would be consultation and relayed the members thoughts and best wishes to those who had been injured recently.  It was highlighted that the roads used for detours are not suitable for two-way traffic and large vehicles.  Speeding on these roads was also an issue.

Councillor D. Gilroy stated that he has spoken to the Traffic Corps on this issue and that there needed to be a management plan in place.  Garda needed to be familiar with the area when putting diversions in place.  Councillor D. Gilroy will be bringing this issue to the Joint Policing Committee for discussion.

Councillor T. Healy suggested that Senior Engineers identify the roads most suited for use during diversions and a template be put in place.  This could be trialled to determine its effectiveness.

 

11.  EXAMINE NEED FOR RIGHT TURNING LANE FROM NORTHBOUND N15 TURNING ONTO L-7123-0, THE L-7205-0 AND THE L71214-0. ALSO TO EXAMINE TURN AT CARNS SCHOOL FROM N15 TO L-7121-0:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

Mr. F. O’ Driscoll stated that the issues highlighted will be raised with the TII for consideration.   

Councillor D. Gilroy highlighted how dangerous these junctions are and the concerns parents have, in particular around Carns National School where speeding is also an issue.  Increased enforcement and Garda resources were required to address the situation.

Councillor D. Gilroy called for an urgent Safety Audit to be carried out at these junctions and at the five schools on the N15 between Rathcormack and Castlegal.  

Members supported the motion and highlighted that it was an ongoing serious issue that needed to be addressed.  Councillor T. Fox acknowledged the impact on families these issues had.

Councillor M. Casserly informed the members that she had written to the TII and invited them to come to visit the site in question.  No reply had been received to date.  Councillor M. Casserly agreed to circulate the letter sent to the TII to the other members.

Mr. J. Molloy suggested that a clear list of actions as identified by the members prior to the letter issuing would be helpful.  It was agreed that this would be forwarded by the members to the meeting administrator prior to the letter being issued to the TII.

The members agreed that a letter would be sent to the TII.  This was

 

12.  REINSTATING OF “MAX 3 TONNE SIGNS” ON THE L3301-0:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy and
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

Mr. F. O’ Driscoll gave a report stating that the weight restriction sign on the approach from the N15 is still in place.  The sign on the western approach is missing and will be replaced in the coming weeks.  No instruction came from the Area Office to remove any weight restrictions signs.

There are sections along this road that have very poor subgrade and any excessive HGV use overtime will have a detrimental effect to the road.  The significant level of funding allocated to this road over the next two years will significantly improve these poor sections.

Councillor D. Gilroy informed the members that an articulated vehicle was in the ditch the day that he submitted the motion and that a paint spillage had occurred as a result.  The litter warden was complimented for their work in clearing the area.

 

13.  SETTING UP OF MEETING WITH MEMBERS IN MANORHAMITON MD AREATO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES ON ROAD AT FIVEMILEBURN IN LEITRIM AND CALRY ROAD IN SLIGO:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

Councillor T. Healy informed the members that he had met with Councillor J. Warnock, Manorhamilton Municipal District and a Committee has been formed.  Members will be kept up to date with progress.

It was agreed that the Executive would write to Councillor J. Warnock, Manorhamilton MD, to request a meeting to discuss how to progress works in this area on the road at Fivemileburn in County Leitrim and the Calry Road in Sligo.

 

As members had to attend a TII Meeting at 3pm, the following motions were deferred:

 

14.  UPDATE ON FOOTPATH BETWEEN COLLOONEY AND THE RAILWAY STATION:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh

 

15.  UPDATE ON FOOTPATH WORKS BETWEEN COLLOONEY AND BALLISODARE:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh

 

16.  PROVISION FOR PUBLIC LIGHTS UNDER CARRICKNAGAT BRIDGE:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh

 

17.  CALL ON SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO RESURFACING OF CAR PARK OUTSIDE RATHCORNMACK SCHOOL:

Proposed by Councillor T. Fox

 

18.  PROVISION OF PORTABLE TOILET FACILITIES FOR UPGRADED WALKS AT GORTNAROWEY, BARNARIBBON, HALF MOON BAY, HAZELWOOD & LISADELL:

Proposed by Councillor T. Fox

 

19.  TO CALL ON SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE A BUS SHELTER AT DRUMCLIFF PRIMARY CARE CENTRE:

Proposed by Councillor T. Fox

 

21.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

As per opening remarks of the meeting.

 

22.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

None. 

 

23.  CORRESPONDENCE:

 None.

 

24.  DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND SLIGO – DRUMCLIFF MD AGM: 

The date of the next meeting will be June 20th at 10am in the Council Chamber.  The Sligo – Drumcliff MD AGM will be held directly after the Municipal District Meeting.

 

25.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

None.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 2.50pm.

 


Meeting Date 11/04/2022