Shannon.ie - Area Council Replies November 2005
“To ask Clare County Council to provide us with an update on the Southern Service road at the rear of St. Caimins, and confirm when this development will start as we are running out of development land.”
I wish to reply as follows:
A report has been issued by the Planning Department on the 26th October 2005 in accordance with Article 180 of PartVIII of the Local Government (Planning & Development) Regulations 2001. This report is included in the agenda for the next County Council meeting as item 13 for adoption. Subject to the report being adopted by the elected members, the detailed design will then be required, followed by the tender process, award and construction of the scheme. Subject to the availability of funds, it is estimated that this will take approximately 12 months
“That, in view of the number of accidents, appropriate road markings be provided as a matter of urgency on the Ballycally Road in the interest of Road Safety.”
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council have provided “SLOW” road markings on the L7184 local road where the road narrows and will erect warning signs as soon as possible to alert motorists that the road narrows
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
To recommend that Ballygirren Group Water Scheme in Newmarket on Fergus be taken over by Clare County Council
I wish to reply as follows:
The Water Services Section has no objection in principle in taking the Ballygirreen Group Water Scheme in charge subject the following:
(a) That the Group Scheme Section confirm that the Group Scheme is in compliance with regard to the "taking in charge" procedures. (b) Water Services Section accept the standard of the existing network
Liam Murphy Executive Engineer Water Services Section
That Clare County Council give a report to the Area County Councillors outlining the current progress on replacement lighting in Shannon and future plans
I wish to reply as follows:
170 new lights have been installed on the principal traffic routes in the town as replacement for mercury lights, which were very old and outdated. In this context Clare County Council replaced all their stock of mercury lights throughout the County some years ago. Approximately 340 new lights have been installed in residential areas where the existing lighting lanterns were old mercury type. This element of the upgrading is almost completed as there are only approximately 30 old mercury lanterns still to be replaced
Upgrading of the public lighting network is currently in progress in the Cronan Estate, the road from St. Connaire’s School towards Inis Ealga, and the area near Tullyvarraga Hall. New lights have also been provided at the new mini roundabout near Tola Park. Time Clocks have been replaced by photo-cells at two locations
Further proposed upgrading will include:
Donal Hogan Senior Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
“Moygalla water treatment plant, Moygalla, is currently supplying the complete Shannon area with water, the facilities are in need of upgrading and before there are any other areas added on to this I want a complete upgrade of the plant.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The water treatment plant at Moygala has been included in the Newmarket on Fergus Water Supply Scheme Contract 3 and 4. A partial upgrade of the water treatment plant is provided under Contract 4. The upgrade currently proposed together with Water Conservation measures in the wider area will ensure that the plant is capable of serving additional areas
Walter Walsh Senior Engineer Water Services
That the seat outside the Crossroads Tavern, Drumgeely be repaired as a matter of urgency
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council will repair the seat outside the Crossroads Tavern as soon as possible
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
“To ask Clare County Council to purchase land at the Low Road, Bunratty, from the two landowners in order to put in place Phase 1 of the construction of a footpath.”
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council will approach the landowners along the Low Road, Bunratty, to ascertain if they are agreeable to selling land and to determine what the land acquisition costs are likely to be for widening the road and providing a footpath
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
“That Clare County Council Environment Section advise the Area Councillors
(a) Can the current sewerage system in Shannon cater for the expanding building requirements? (b) What stage is the sewerage improvement scheme at in Shannon?”
I wish to reply as follows:
Improvements to the Shannon Town Sewerage System are included in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Governments Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006. Inclusion in this programme is a recognition that there are deficiencies in the sewerage system in Shannon in terms of the medium/longterm planning requirements of the town
Regarding the sewerage scheme improvement proposed and included in the Water Services Programme, the Council has undertaken a procurement process to appoint a consulting engineer to prepare a Preliminary Report on the Shannon Sewerage System. The fee proposal submitted by the consultant has been forwarded to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for approval and as soon as the fee proposal is approved, the appointment to prepare the Preliminary Report will be made and work on the report can commence
Walter Walsh Senior Engineer Water Services
“I am requesting an update on the proposed opening of the Sixmilebridge Railway station.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The Forward Planning Section of the Economic Development and Planning Department have been in discussions with Iarnrod Eireann concerning progressing the identification of a site for the development of a railway station at Sixmilebridge
Through the review of the South Clare Local Area Plan a site has been proposed that corresponds in part to the site of the former railway station and will be considered for zoning as an amendment to the local area plan. The station masters house is currently privately occupied and the adjacent land required for the car parking is undeveloped agricultural land
Iarnrod Eireann have advised that whilst they will not purchase the site they will enter into an agreement with the landowners to locate a platform and ancillary facilities necessary for the picking up and setting down of passengers. They would not provide car parking for the station but would leave that to others. Iarnrod Eireann will be carrying out a study into the costs of providing the stop and platform within the next few months
A decision has to be reached as to who will be responsible for the acquisition and management of the car parking associated with the site. Agreement then has to be reached on the relationship between the landowner and Iarnrod Eireann. The Council will be considering this matter in the next few months with a view to bringing a report to a Council meeting in February 2006
“That the capping on the wall around the rose bed in front of the Shop in Drumgeely be repaired as a matter of urgency.”
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council will reset the capping on the wall around the rose bed in front of the shop in Drumgeely as soon as possible
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
“To ask Clare County Council to put traffic calming measures in place at the entrance road to the Family Support Centre, Newmarket on Fergus, due to the ongoing heavy traffic at certain times of the day.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The proposal to install traffic calming measures on the road leading to the Family Support Centre in Newmarket on Fergus was referred to the Road Design Section of Clare County Council. On the 4th October, 2005, Ms. Siobhan Burke, Executive Engineer, of the Road Design Section and myself inspected this estate road and made the following observations
The road is 5 m, wide and approximately 170m long. The observed speeds along the cul-de-sac road were low. The road width is effectively reduced to 3 metres by cars parking in front of houses along the road. The parked cars have the same effect as horizontal build-outs and reduce the speed of motorists exiting the cul-de-sac road, as they must yield to incoming traffic. Ms. Burke’s considered opinion is that the observed speeds do not warrant the installation of traffic ramps and that ramps would in fact be undesirable at this location due to the noise associated with their operation. I concur with this opinion
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure
“That Clare County Council property section give a report outlining the current status of Tullyvarraga Hall, Shannon:
(a) what is the development potential of this site? (b) what is the current leasing arrangement?”
I wish to reply as follows:
Some years ago Shannon Development granted a lease to the local community on Tullyvarraga Hall. I understand from Shannon Development that prior to that some works had been carried out to the building by the company. Responsibility for the ongoing maintenance and management of the Hall rests with the entity who are leasing the building
As far as I am aware, the Council has had no contact with the Leasee’s since the take-over of services in Shannon Town by the Council in September 2004. It is the Council’s understanding that ongoing use is made of the Hall at present and the Council has no plans other than to continue the present leasing arrangements
Any changes to the present arrangements will require the approval of the Council as the present lessors
Michael McNamara Senior Executive Officer Corporate Services
Major resurfacing of all Roads into Sixmilebridge a few years ago was a fantastic job. In the last year / 18 months there has been numerous road openings. The reinstating of a lot of these are not satisfactory and I am requesting that anyone who opens the roads are made to return them to the same standard. If this is not done soon we are going to end up with the roads in a bad state again
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council have issued road opening licences to a number of contractors in Sixmilebridge to excavate the public road under Section 13 (6) of the Roads Act, 1993. Each road opening licence contains conditions, specifications and drawings detailing temporary and or permanent reinstatement details, which the contractor must comply with. Responsibility for the excavation and permanent reinstatement remains with the contractor for a 24 months maintenance period from the date of approval of the permanent reinstatement. The contractor must carry out maintenance works during the maintenance period to Clare County Council’s satisfaction. Failure to carry out such remedial works will result in Clare County Council arranging to undertake the works and invoicing the applicant for any remaining balance
Clare County Council will inspect all road reinstatements, which have taken place within the past 18 months in Sixmilebridge. If any reinstatement is found to be unsatisfactory, Clare County Council will write to the Contractor who is responsible for the reinstatement. The Contractor will be requested to immediately rectify any damage he has caused to the public road and carry out the reinstatement works in accordance with the conditions, specification and drawings contained in his licence
Michael Healy Executive Engineer Transportation & Infrastructure