That District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle,
be asked to explain the following. This refers to the erection of
signs directing the public along the alleyway from Flynn’s
Field car park, in Carrick-on-Shannon, to an exit point between
Ivan Keaney’s shop and Frank Heslin’s shop on Bridge
St. These signs state “ACCESS TO BRIDGE ST”. The status
of this alley was a private residential alley, with a gate that was
locked at night. Under whose authority was this status changed,
without due procedure or CPO?. Residents in the Archway Apartments,
and in properties very close by, do not seem to have been
consulted. It is of great concern to them that the lighting for the
alley is not fixed and just not working. Will the Co Council take
responsibility for all the dangers arising ?
Minutes:
"That District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle, be asked to explain the following. This refers to the erection of signs directing the public along the alleyway from Flynn’s Field car park, in Carrick-on-Shannon, to an exit point between Ivan Keaney’s shop and Frank Heslin’s shop on Bridge St. These signs state “ACCESS TO BRIDGE ST”. The status of this alley was a private residential alley, with a gate that was locked at night. Under whose authority was this status changed, without due procedure or CPO? Residents in the Archway Apartments, and in properties very close by, do not seem to have been consulted. It is of great concern to them that the lighting for the alley is not fixed and just not working. Will the Co Council take responsibility for all the dangers arising?"
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"Leitrim County Council were approached by the businesses on Bridge Street about directing people from the new car park to Bridge St. We are aware that this is a private laneway. We discussed this with the Archway Apartments property management company. They agreed we could direct people through this lane for a temporary period subject to Leitrim County Council including the laneway in our public liability insurance policy. This was carried out. Any permanent change to the status of this laneway can only happen with the agreement of all parties concerned."
Councillor Des Guckian said the Council have taken control of this private laneway and he expressed his concerns that people’s rights have been taken away without due process.
Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer said Leitrim County Council were approached by the businesses and residents on Bridge Street about directing people from the new car park to Bridge Street. Leitrim County Council sought and were granted permission from Archway Apartments property management company and about giving access to Bridge St. via this laneway, on a temporary basis and subject to Leitrim County Council including in their Public Liability Insurance Policy. Leitrim County Council acknowledge this is a private laneway and there is no proposal to CPO or take in charge this private laneway. Should it come to pass that Leitrim County Council require control of this laneway, at that point in time, due process will be followed. Mr O’Connor reiterated that this was only a temporary measure taken prior to Christmas.
Councillor Des Guckian said the Archway Apartments property Management Company are not the only ones involved and in terms of lighting, this has been completely ignored. A temporary measure is not good enough and he asked that an apology be given to the people of the area.
Councillor Sean McGowan said that this was a temporary measure which was put in place for the Christmas period at the request by businesses to facilitate people who were out shopping for the Christmas period.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the use of this laneway has been properly managed to facilitate public access to Bridge Street on the agreement of the landowners and all parties who have control of the property.