Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 16th May 2022.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

SECONDED by Cllr Sean McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the meeting of 16th May 2022.

Mary Quinn, Director of Services gave an overview of two local improvement schemes applications for consideration by the members:

1.      LIS Application (Ref No: 3106) a roadway at Maughamore, Glenade, Co. Leitrim. The LIS Grant required for this scheme is €80,550, with 10 beneficiaries.

2.      LIS Application (Ref No: 3136) a roadway at Gortinar, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. This LIS Grant required for this scheme is €122,062, with 7 beneficiaries.

Ms. Quinn informed members that as the projected cost of each projects exceeds €65,000 the approval of the Municipal District is required for the projects to proceed.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

SECONDED by Cllr Felim Gurn

It was AGREED that the Local Improvements Scheme Applications, Ref Nos: 3106 and 3136, be granted approval to proceed under the Local Improvement Scheme.

No meeting correspondence.

I ask Francis Gaffney Senior Engineer in Water Services if he could find out from Irish Water / Donegal County Council, how many litres of water annually does it extract from Lough Melvin at Derryherk, Askill, County Leitrim and how many homes and businesses, including the Askill Group Water Scheme are serviced from this plant?

"I ask Francis Gaffney Senior Engineer in Water Services if he could find out from Irish Water / Donegal County Council, how many litres of water annually does it extract from Lough Melvin at Derryherk, Askill, County Leitrim and how many homes and businesses, including the Askill Group Water Scheme are serviced from this plant?"

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"The water treatment plant at Derryherk Co. Leitrim is an Irish Water Asset which serves the Bundoran Water Supply Scheme and associated Group Water Schemes. It is currently abstracting on average 2,500cum/day which is 2.5million litres per day or 912 million litres per year.

The Bundoran Scheme has 2,561 domestic connections with a population of 4,866 persons. There are also 600 Non domestic connections. The Askill GWS is a metered non domestic connection off the Bundoran Water Supply Scheme. I have asked Donegal County Council for figures on this GWS which I will forward to Councillor Warnock when I receive them."

Cllr Mary Bohan moved Cllr Warnock’s motion in his absence.

I ask Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer in the Roads Department for an update on the proposed New Bridge adjacent to Lennox's Bridge between Kinlough and Bundoran and an update on the Active Travel scheme walkway / cycleway also between Kinlough and Bundoran.

"I ask Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer in the Roads Department for an update on the proposed New Bridge adjacent to Lennox's Bridge between Kinlough and Bundoran and an update on the Active Travel scheme walkway / cycleway also between Kinlough and Bundoran."

Report by Roads - General

"Consultants were appointed for the Lennox Bridge project in April 2022 and they are currently working through Stage 1 (Design Review and Options Report). This is a detailed process and works ongoing includes liaising with stakeholders, initial assessment of environmental constraints, desktop study of utilities and procurement of GI. They have also commenced initial geometric design including assessing preliminary possible horizontal alignment options.

In relation to a proposed greenway from Kinlough and Bundoran, Leitrim County Council applied for funding to the NTA in January 2022 to progress route selection & preliminary design. Unfortunately, the NTA did not provide funding for this scheme in the current year, however it remains on the Active Travel project list and will be resubmitted for funding in 2023. However, it should be noted that, Part 8 planning was approved in May 2022 for construction of approximately 250 meters of a combined footway/cycleway along the R280 north of Kinlough. Funding approval was received for this section from the NTA this year, and it is currently under construction. It is envisaged that this development will link into the proposed future greenway to Bundoran."

Cllr Mary Bohan moved Cllr Warnock’s motion in his absence.

I ask that inspections are carried out on Killavoggy Bridge abutments and ramps both up and down stream.

"I ask that inspections are carried out on Killavoggy Bridge abutments and ramps both up and down stream."

Report by Roads - General

"Significant rehabilitation works have been carried out on Killavoggy Bridge recently, the Roads Section will continue to monitor the condition of the bridge and carry out inspections as required."

While Cllr Fallon welcomed the response, he reiterated that the abutments and ramps further up and downstream of the river require careful monitoring due to ongoing erosion.

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion.

With the consent of members, it was decided to address Councillor Fallon’s and Councillor Dolan’s motions on Drumlease School, Dromahair together.

I ask when safety works will be carried out at Drumlease School Dromahair, the nature of such works and if the Local Authority will put in place or examine the possibility of a lollipop person/crossing guard here.

"I ask when safety works will be carried out at Drumlease School Dromahair, the nature of such works and if the Local Authority will put in place or examine the possibility of a lollipop person/crossing guard here."

Report by Roads - General

"We received the Draft Delivery Plan for Drumlease National School from An Taisce Safe Route to School Coordinator in February 2022. This delivery plan will guide Leitrim County Council’s detailed plans for the infrastructural improvements at the front of the school and throughout the village of Dromahair.

Our Active Travel team met with the Board of Management at Drumlease NS to discuss options. The works at the

front of the school are one part of an overall plan for this area. At present we are drafting tender documents to procure a consultant to carry out a detailed design of this project which will then have to be submitted for Part 8 Planning approval.

In the interim we can look at the option of ramping the existing zebra crossing (subject to approval of funding from the NTA) and we will notify the Gardaí regarding reports of speeding.

With regards to the provision of a lollipop person, unfortunately we would not be in a position to provide this, perhaps this is something the school Board of Management could look into."

In response to a letter that we all received from the residents of Drumlease Estate I ask Leitrim County Council to take on board the issues raised and deal with them immediately as I think they are quite reasonable and legitimate.

"On behalf of the school management and the parents association of Drumlease NS I ask Leitrim County Council to put some form of traffic calming measures in place at the school before there is a serious accident."

Report by Roads - General

"We received the Draft Delivery Plan for Drumlease National School from An Taisce Safe Route to School coordinator in February 2022. This delivery plan will guide Leitrim County Council’s detailed plans for the infrastructural improvements at the front of the school and throughout the village of Dromahair.

Our Active Travel team met with the Board of Management at Drumlease NS to discuss options. The works at the front of the school are one part of an overall plan for this area. At present we are drafting tender documents to procure a consultant to carry out a detailed design of this project which will then have to be submitted for Part 8 Planning approval.

In the interim we can look at the option of ramping the existing zebra crossing (subject to approval of funding from the NTA) and we will notify the Gardaí regarding reports of speeding."

Cllr Padraig Fallon outlined the concerns that various stakeholders in the school have in relation to road safety outside the school, and informed members of a very close call a student had with a passing vehicle that could have resulted in a serious accident. Cllr Fallon called for the ramping of the current pedestrian crossing to be completed as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Fallon requested that Leitrim County Council explore the option of providing a crossing guard as he is aware that some local authorities do provide the service.

Cllr Frank Dolan outlined his and Drumlease National School’s principal’s concerns in relation to the speeding issue. Cllr Dolan requested that immediate traffic calming measures such as the ramping of the pedestrian crossing be implemented immediately.

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined her support for the motions and requested that local media reiterate the message that vehicles should slow down while passing the schools.

Cllr Padraig Fallon agreed with Cllr Bohan’s appeal and stated that drivers must be aware that children can be crossing the road at any stage during the school day and are not limited to opening and closing hours.

I ask when are the proposed restoration improvement works due to start on local road

L-2208-1 Briscloonagh, Glenfarne and will the full length of this road be completed as proposed. This road is in bad condition.

"I ask when are the proposed restoration improvement works due to start on local road

L-2208-1 Briscloonagh, Glenfarne and will the full length of this road be completed as proposed. This road is in bad condition."

Report by Roads - General

"Restoration Improvement Works for L-2208 will be completed in this years Roads Works programme."

Alan McGovern, Executive Engineer, confirmed that work would commence next week and work is expected to be complete by August, 2022.

Cllr Sean McDermott welcomed the response.

I ask can potholes be filled on road L61214 Corraleskin, Kiltyclogher.

"I ask can potholes be filled on road L61214 Corraleskin, Kiltyclogher."

Report by Roads - General

"The Roads section will assess L-61214 in Corraleskin, Kiltyclogher and include any potholes for maintenance repairs."

Alan McGovern, Executive Engineer, stated that the road would be reviewed for maintenance repairs.

Cllr Sean McDermott welcomed the response.

I ask the area office to review the road at L2206. It is collapsing and needs urgent repair work, as it is a busy road up to the veterinary practice and requires a layby for cars to pull in and let traffic flow.

"I ask the area office to review the road at L2206. It is collapsing and needs urgent repair work, as it is a busy road up to the veterinary practice and requires a layby for cars to pull in and let traffic flow."

Report by Roads - General

"L-2206 will be included in upcoming road condition surveys and will be assessed for inclusion in future road improvement programmes."

Alan McGovern, Executive Engineer, stated that the road had recently been tarmacadamed.

Cllr Felim Gurn welcomed the response.

I ask the area office to review the pedestrian crossing at McDermott terrace down to the St. Clare’s primary school. It needs to be resprayed during the summer holidays so that car users are fully aware of pedestrian crossing ahead and work needs to be done on the footpath to remove all weeds coming up through the bricks. It looks poor on entering the town centre.

"I ask the area office to review the pedestrian crossing at McDermott terrace down to the St. Clare’s primary school. It needs to be resprayed during the summer holidays so that car users are fully aware of pedestrian crossing ahead and work needs to be done on the footpath to remove all weeds coming up through the bricks. It looks poor on entering the town centre."

Report by Roads - General

"The Roads Section will review the pedestrian crossing for renewal of road markings and investigate environmentally feasible options for the treatment of weeds at this and other locations in the area."

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined the issue with fading of the pedestrian crossing and the need for it to be resprayed.

Alan McGovern, Executive Engineer, informed members that Eric Gilroy, Area Engineer, is committed to having the road markings and pedestrian crossing resprayed. Mr. McGovern stated that the Area Office would explore options for environmentally friendly treatment of weeds.

With the consent of members, it was decided to address Councillor Dolan’s and Councillor Bohan’s motions on Drumlease Estate, Dromahair together.

On behalf of the school management and the parents association of Drumlease NS I ask Leitrim County Council to put some form of traffic calming measures in place at the school before there is a serious accident.

"In response to a letter that we all received from the residents of Drumlease Estate I ask Leitrim County Council to take on board the issues raised and deal with them immediately as I think they are quite reasonable and legitimate."

Report by Roads - General

"Leitrim County Council will commence investigations to develop funding sources and a strategy for implementing improvements to the estate, including parking, footpath facilities and safety at the junction."

I propose that Leitrim Co. Council address the following issues as a matter of urgency for the residents in the Drumlease Housing Estate in Dromahair:

1.      Repair or replacement of footpaths where necessary.

2.      Safety concerns at the junction at Drumlease estate and Spears Green.

3.      Serious lack of parking in the estate.

"I propose that Leitrim Co. Council address the following issues as a matter of urgency for the residents in the Drumlease Housing Estate in Dromahair:

1.      Repair or replacement of footpaths where necessary.

2.      Safety concerns at the junction at Drumlease estate and Spears Green.

3.      Serious lack of parking in the estate."

Report by Roads - General

"Leitrim County Council will commence investigations to develop funding sources and a strategy for implementing improvements to the estate, including parking, footpath facilities and safety at the junction."

Cllr Frank Dolan outlined the issues that residents have with the estate in relation to a lack of parking, the poor quality of the footpaths, and the safety issues at the junction.

Cllr Mary Bohan stated how the issues within the estate have been ongoing for a number of years and requested that a plan be drafted for remedial works.

Alan McGovern, Executive Engineer, informed members that Eric Gilroy, Area Engineer, has liaised with Housing Section, to draft a strategy for improvement works within the estate.

Mary Quinn, Director of Services, informed members that she would monitor the situation and progress the matter.

Cllr Padraig Fallon expressed his support for the motions.

I propose that Leitrim County Council call on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to expedite the compensation measures for farmers affected by the Shass mountain landslide.

"I propose that Leitrim County Council call on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to expedite the compensation measures for farmers affected by the Shass mountain landslide."

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined the situation that landowners affected by the Shass landslide face, and how their land is not usable. Cllr Bohan stated that compensation schemes have been previously organised for landowners in similar situations.

Cllr Bohan called on both Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, to approve the compensation as quickly as possible.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

SECONDED by Cllr Padraig Fallon 

It was AGREED to write to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to expedite the compensation measures for farmers affected by the Shass mountain landslide.

Cllr Mary Bohan informed members of the passing of Mr. Pat Egan, a retired employee of Leitrim County Council. All members expressed their sympathies to the Egan Family.