Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Enda Stenson

             SECONDED by Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of 14^th February 2022.

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator informed the members no correspondence had been received.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly outlined to Members the list of Tourism Festivals and Events for consideration for funding approval under the Tourism Festivals and Events Grants Scheme as set out below.  Mr Gilhooly outlined that the funding budget for Municipal Districts as per the GMA allocations is €5,000.

Carrick on Shannon Festival and Events 2022

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Enda Stenson

             SECONDED by Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

It was AGREED to adopt the Tourism Festivals and Events Grants Scheme 2022.

Councillor Enda Stenson welcomed the funding and noted how it is heavily weighted in one area i.e. Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village.

Councillor Stenson queried if Mohill St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee was aware of this funding or if an application had been received from them.  Councillor Stenson said it was disappointing that festivals/agricultural shows in other areas have not applied for this funding.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire outlined that the Carrick Camino will impact the wider Carrick-on-Shannon area and she paid tribute to all the groups who have applied for funding and for their high standard of applications.

Councillor Sean McGowan also queried if Mohill Parade committee had applied for funding.

Mr Gilhooly advised the members that this was a complete list of applications that have been received. All groups had an opportunity to apply, and he said he was encouraged with the level of activity.

May I have an update on the progress to date and timeline going forward for presentations by ARUP on the proposed bypass of Carrick on Shannon.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;

"May I have an update on the progress to date and timeline going forward for presentations by ARUP on the proposed bypass of Carrick on Shannon."

Report by Roads - General

"The selection of the Preferred Alternative and/or Option which will form the preferred transport solution for the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Project is progressing well and will be go on public display in Q2 of 2022. A briefing will be provided to the elected members in advance of public display"

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire welcomed the reply received and she said it is a question that comes up regularly from the public.

Councillor Sean McGowan and Councillor Enda Stenson supported the motion and welcomed the reply.

Councillor Enda Stenson referred to the amount of work currently being done on the N4 he said it cannot be justified to bypass this road as it is an excellent road.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the works being carried out currently are ongoing maintenance operations, these works are critical and have to be done to maintain the quality and structure of the existing road.

I ask that a review is conducted of the safety of quayside areas in Carrick. I ask that the area at the Car Park nearby Leitrim County Council Áras building which has steps and an open walkway is given particular attention. The depth of the water should be marked and railings considered in this location.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;

"I ask that a review is conducted of the safety of quayside areas in Carrick. I ask that the area at the Car Park nearby Leitrim County Council Áras building which has steps and an open walkway is given particular attention. The depth of the water should be marked, and railings considered in this location."

Report by Roads - General

"The slip steps that are currently in position at the Quay location adjacent to the Aras building are specifically designed that way, in order to facilitate row boats to launch for regattas and boating events on the Shannon. The erection of any barriers or guardrails would prevent this activity. We can erect deep water signage either site of the row boat launch platform."

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire referred to the tragic death of a man recently at this location and called for more safety measures to be put in place here.  Councillor Armstrong McGuire said this is a pressing and important issue.  The steps at the slipway need to be highlighted as it is a dangerous area, and more signage needs to be erected.

Councillors Farrell, McGowan and Stenson supported the motion.

At this point in the meeting Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan joined the meeting and chaired the meeting from this point on. 

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said this is a very difficult issue to resolve with a reasonable engineering solution as there are a number of steps at this location which facilitate boat launching.  The erection of barriers and guard rails is a significant step and Leitrim County Council will have to consult with all stakeholders that use the amenity when designing any potential solution. Mr O’Boyle said the OPW are currently carrying out works in this area and this issue can be fed into their considerations.  Mr O’Boyle said he didn’t believe that blocking off the area or erecting barriers is a solution to the problems at this location.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire proposed that signage is erected and lit up, as soon as possible, at this location.  Mr O’Boyle agreed to this.

That the junction of the L1601 (old road to Dromod) and the N4 at Faulties townland be cleaned up and tidied. There are a lot of weeds and dirt there and the “triangles” could be brightened up by luminous paint to make them more visible.

In Cllr. Des Guckian’s absence, motion no. 6 and motion no. 7, both in the name of Councillor Des Guckian, were not moved by any other elected member at the meeting, and so these motions were dropped as set out in Standing Order No. 23 as adopted at Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting 4^th November 2020.

Standing Order No. 23:  A motion, notice of which stands in the Agenda and which has been proposed and seconded, may be withdrawn only on leave obtained from a majority of the municipal district members present at the meeting at the request of the member concerned.  A motion may either be proposed by the member in whose name it stands or if he or she be absent, by any member authorised by him or her in writing to propose it on his or her behalf, but unless so proposed, and in the absence of a request in writing from the member in whose name it stands to postpone it, the motion shall be dropped and shall not again be set down in the Notice Paper except on fresh notice.  A motion or an amendment when not seconded is dropped.

I would like to know if the council have any plan in place to deal with with all the dead and rotten trees due to ash dieback along our highways and byways in the Carrick on Shannon municipal district. They will lead to dangerous issues down the road.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"I would like to know if the council have any plan in place to deal with all the dead and rotten trees due to ash dieback along our highways and byways in the Carrick on Shannon municipal district. They will lead to dangerous issues down the road."

Report by Roads - General

"The trees that order the local and regional roads are the property of the landowner. If we are made aware of any tree that is causing or potentially causing a hazard to the road user (driver, cyclist or pedestrian) we will issue a legally binding hedge cutting notice. The district engineer’s office has noticed a considerable increase in landowners maintaining their trees and hedges and is grateful to those land owners who have carried out their civic duty."

Councillor Paddy Farrell asked if Leitrim County Council have any plan to deal with dead and rotten trees affected by Ash Dieback which are along our public roads and that are outside of the boundary of properties.

Councillor Enda Stenson said this is a national issue.  Councillor Stenson said he fears that a storm may cause an accident along our public roads due to this issue.  Councillor Stenson proposed that some National Policy be put in place as to what happens to these trees.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion, and he said a lot of landowners have already taken action and there are a lot of these trees along public roads, and someone needs to step up to this issue.

Mr. Darragh Boyle said Ash Dieback is prevalent in the county.  Mr O’Boyle paid tribute to landowners who have cut their hedges and tidied up along the roads and he highlighted that this will help to preserve the length of the life of the road.  Mr O’Boyle said over 300 hedge cutting notices have been issued this year.  Trees that are along the local and regional roads are the property of the landowner and if Leitrim County Council is made aware they are causing, or potentially causing, a hazard to road users a legally binding hedge cutting notice will be issued to the landowner by the Council.

Councillor Enda Stenson highlighted farmers are unable to cut large trees with a chainsaw. Mr O’Boyle said the Council will assist the landowner if they contact the Area office and ask for help.

Local people in the Drumsna and Jamestown area are questioning what will happen now, as no contractors expressed an interest in tendering for the walkway project that was advertised recently.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"Local people in the Drumsna and Jamestown area are questioning what will happen now, as no contractors expressed an interest in tendering for the walkway project that was advertised recently."

Report by Roads - General

"The Inter urban Greyway Pilot Project, between Drumsna and Jamestown via the L-3656 in Roscommon, is being progressed by Roscommon County Council. They have informed us that consultants have been appointed who are looking at the options selection & design. They are not at the stage of tendering for contractors."

Councillor Paddy Farrell sought an update on this walkway project.

Councillor Enda Stenson said he has been informed by Roscommon County Council that their consultants are having a meeting in the coming week and a report will issue in the next 2 weeks.

Councillor Sean McGowan welcomed this.

I ask the Director of Services, Infrastructure to have discussions with Coillte with a view to them developing a walking trail through their forest in the townland of Cornagillagh, between Rooskey & Dromod. This forest is rich flora & fauna with a wide and varied selection of wildlife.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I ask the Director of Services, Infrastructure to have discussions with Coillte with a view to them developing a walking trail through their forest in the townland of Cornagillagh, between Rooskey & Dromod. This forest is rich flora & fauna with a wide and varied selection of wildlife."

Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.

"The potential for a walking or nature trail at this location has been raised with Coillte and the matter will receive consideration in the context of future such investment programmes."

Councillor Sean McGowan said this is a beautiful wood owned by Coillte and there is no proper access.  It is a wood rich with biodiversity, flora and fauna and would be a great attraction for the area. Councillor McGowan said he has received many representations to put some trails through it and he proposed that Leitrim County Council liaise with Coillte in this regard.

Councillors Stenson and Councillor Armstrong McGuire supported the motion.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said funding should be ringfenced for low-cost footpaths and trails.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said Leitrim County Council have been in contact with Coillte twice on this matter. This wood has been considered as a habitat of importance.  Insurance and maintenance of any potential development will have to be considered.

Councillor McGowan and Councillor Armstrong McGuire welcomed this response.

I ask Darragh O’Boyle, Area Engineer, for an update on providing additional traffic calming measurers in the village of Dromod. As it is, the motorists driving through the village tend to ignore the large signs at either end of the village with the result that traffic passes through the village at excessive speed.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I ask Darragh O’Boyle, Area Engineer, for an update on providing additional traffic calming measurers in the village of Dromod. As it is, the motorists driving through the village tend to ignore the large signs at either end of the village with the result that traffic passes through the village at excessive speed."

Report by Roads - General

"There is currently ample signage on both approaches to the village of Dromod on the old N4. This office has spent a considerable amount of money through Clár and T&V schemes erecting ramps and driver feedback signage on the connector route to the N4 bypass. If the community wish to avail of further grants this office are at their disposal. We have not specific funding to create further traffic calming in this village. If motorist tend to ignore the appropriate signage, then the Garda should be informed as they, and they alone, can enforce the clearly defined speed limits."

Councillor Sean McGowan said this is an ongoing issue in the village and he said he appreciates and understands what has already been spent in the village and he proposed that narrowing of footpaths may slow the traffic down in the village and he said he is sure that the Gardai are aware of the situation.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said he can’t use money that is assigned for specific purposes such as road resurfacing cannot be used for footpaths.  Measures to slow the traffic down could be looked at under an Active Travel Scheme for Dromod. 

May I ask could we have a time scale for works to be carried out from Rue Jamestown down past the meat factory .

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda Stenson;

"May I ask could we have a time scale for works to be carried out from Rue Jamestown down past the meat factory."

Report by Roads - General

"This project has to go through the Part VIII process, The contractor has been assessed and can commence once Part VIII planning is approved."

Councillor Enda Stenson welcomed the reply received.

Councillor Paddy Farrell supported the motion.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said that once Part VIII has been approved work will commence.

Is there any update on the possibility of re surfacing the road of Main St. Drumsna, from Belmont to the bridge? This is an issue that I have previously raised.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda Stenson;

"Is there any update on the possibility of re surfacing the road of Main St. Drumsna, from Belmont to the bridge? This is an issue that I have previously raised."

Report by Roads - General

"The district engineer is awaiting funding from the old N4 funding conduit. We have received this funding for 2022 which has been assigned to the Faulties to Dromod section of the old N4. We shall continue to apply for this section of Old N4."

Councillor Enda Stenson said he raised this issue before and was told that funding could come from some source, and he asked for an update on same.

Councillor Stenson said the streets in Drumsna need resurfacing.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said funding has been received in 2022 for the old N4, this is being assigned to works from Faulties to Dromod.  Mr O’Boyle confirmed Leitrim County Council will be applying for further funding for the old N4 for this section of road.

All the members supported the motion.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire proposed that an old bin be put in place for the solar bin in Drumsna this has been requested from a historical aspect.

Mr O’Boyle said he will remove the solar bin.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly advised of the following

• Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District Meeting for May will take place on Monday, 16^th May 2022 and it is likely it will be held in the Dock as refurbishment works will have started on the Council Chamber at that stage.  The April meeting will take place in the Council Chamber. Members will be notified of the venue for both meetings closer to the time of the meetings.

• Roadworks Scheme will be listed on the April agenda for consideration as the level of funding provided by central government has now been approved.