Athlone
1 - September 2004:
When will this Council provide more litter bins in it’s area?
Reply:
The Area Director requested that specific black spots be identified and forwarded to the Area Engineer for reassessment.
2 - November 2004:
‘What progress has been made towards the initial implementation of the Athlone Sewerage & Drainage Report that was presented to the Members of the Council last Summer’?
Reply:
The final draft of the preliminary report has now been completed by the Consultants and will be submitted to the Department of the Environmment, Heritage & Local Government for sanction in the coming week. The Part V111 process will be considered immediately thereafter.
3 - November 20054:
‘ Do the Executive not feel that the Athlone Electoral Area should have it’s own full time procedures and methods in place to carry out verge cutting when required on all our National, Secondary, Regional & Local roads instead of waiting for the Mullingar Area to release their machines?
Reply:
This activity is coordinated by the Director of Transportation & Infrastructure and the matter will be taken up with him to ensure a satisfactory service to the Athlone area in 2005. If necessary the Athlone area will revert to a local contractor.
4 - March 2005:
'That this Council write to Iarnrod Eireann requesting a meeting to discuss the erection of a pedestrian bridge alongside the Retreat Road Railway Bridge at the Marist College in the interest of public safety'.
Reply:
Athlone Town Council will be requested to write to Iarnrod Eireann addressing this issue
5 - March 2005:
What is the delay in starting the new roundabout at the entrance to Athlone Business Park on the Dublin Road?
Reply:
The Council is currently in negotiations with landowners regarding acquisition of land to advance this project.
6 - May 2005:
‘ That this Council discuss the special speed limit guidelines recently released by the Minister with the objective of making our roads safer’.
Reply:
This Council has received guidelines from the Department regarding the preparation of byelaws in this regard. A report in the matter is expected to be placed before the Transportation & Infrastructure Strategic Policy committee at their next meeting on the 8th June 2005.
7 - July 2005:
That this Council discuss the need to have development levies collected in the Athlone Electoral Area ring fenced to be spent on projects in the Athlone Electoral Area.
Reply:
This matter will be considered by the full council at it’s next meeting based on report recently circulated to the members. There is no provision for ring fencing unless they are special levies for specific projects.
8 - July 2005:
That this Council draw up policies for the taking in charge of private housing developments.
Reply:
Road Design Office is arranging to draw up an information booklet for issue to contractors and residents in relation to standards and guidelines for the taking in charge of housing estates. This booklet will be available in a few weeks.
9 - July 2005:
Can this Council suggest ways of making Iarnrod Eireann clean up weeds, bushes and ivy off the Garrycastle Railway Bridge, Bonnavalley Bridge and other railway bridges in the Athlone Area?
Reply:
The Athlone Area Office will make contact with Iarnrod Eireann in this matter requesting a clean up in these areas.
10 - July 2005:
Following recent reports of bad odours coming from Ballydonagh Landfill can this Council inform it’s members as to what options are left to alleviate the problem?
Reply:
The Council has installed 30 no gas extraction wells and a second flare to extract and burn off the landfill gas. An additional 600mm deep soil cover layer will be placed over the existing 300mm soil cover layer over the waste to help keep down the odour of methane gas and stale waste. This work is scheduled for 2005. In addition to this a full impermeable airtight cap will be placed over the landfill in 2006/2007 when phase 2 of the landfill is full and phase 3 is constructed and operational. This Engineering cap will fully seal in the gas and waste odours, which will be extracted and burned off in the flare.
11 - September 2005:
That this Council write to Iarnrod Eireann requesting them to erect a palaside fencing on the Roscommon Railway line alongside St. Francis Football Club pitches in Iona Park.
Reply:
Westmeath County Council will write to Iarnrod Eireann on this matter.
12 - September 2005:
When will this Council start the process of putting special speed limits in place at all our schools and also on our local and regional roads?
Reply:
The Roads Section has prepared a procedure for the implementation of special speed limit bye-laws. It is intended that Area Committee would now identify locations where it is considered a special speed limit should apply. All identified locations throughout the County will be referred to Road Design for consideration against the special speed limit implementation policy agreed by the members at the July meeting. This will be followed by a consultative process following which the adoption of the bye-laws is a reserved function of the County Council.
13 - November 2005:
Will this Council present it’s Members with a report on the number of prosecutions made so far this year to those people who choose to dispose of their litter illegally?
Reply:
The statistics in relation to this matter have been requested from Environmental Section and will be forwarded to the members when received.
14 - January 2006:
That this Council in conjunction with Athlone Town Council make the junction at Scott’s Parade and Castlemaine St. pedestrian friendly.
Reply:
The junction at Scott’s Parade and Castlemaine Street will be examined and any remedial works required will be carried out.
4 - Juanuary 2006:
That this Council inform it’s members of all the land in it’s ownership in the Athlone Electoral Area, the rent it receives for same ( if rented ) and on what this money is spent.
Reply:
This question has been referred to Property Management Section for reply. Cllr. Keena thanked the executive for reply received and added that he felt that it was important for the members to have this information.
5 - March 2006:
That this Council discuss the need to review it’s fire service cover for the Moate/Athlone area.
Reply:
There are no national standards of fire cover in Ireland. However, the issue of fire brigade cover for the entire County of Westmeath was the subject of a presentation at the Environmental SPC meeting help on the 29th March 2005. The presentation showed the area that would be served within 20 minutes from activation of the fire brigade from the various stations that service Westmeath including stations in Longford, Offaly and Meath. The time of 20 minutes is taken from a UK standard. Moate is covered by Kilbeggan and Athlone fire brigades. As noted to the SPC, we will review the situation when standards of cover are provided for Ireland and in the meantime, Moate is within 20 minutes of Kilbeggan & Athlone Fire Seations. Cllr. Keena noted the reply received and added that he had placed this motion on the agenda as a result of the increasing populations in the Moate area.
6 - March 2006:
That this Council provide a section of footpath from Cornamaddy NS to the Department of Education.
Reply:
Road Design is preparing a design for a roundabout at the junction of the N55 at Cornamaddy National School. This design will include for the provision of footpaths.cycleways and pedestrian safety measures at this location in the vicinity of the school. While it is considered desirable to extend the footpath up to the Department of Education there are no monies available in the current budget to fund this proposal. Cllr. Keena noted his disappointment with response received. It was agreed that the members would revisit this issue in the context of the 2007 budget.
7 - March 2006:
That this Council discuss the need to retain for the Athlone Area a substantial part of the recently acquired financial windfall that it received for the sale of it’s lands in the Athlone Area.
Reply:
In accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001 the disposal of land is a reserved function of the Council and the proceeds of sales must be used for Capitol purposes. It is proposed that the sale of the land in Athlone will be applied to support our existing Capitol programmes both funded and unfunded. Members will be aware of the very large increase in our Capitol programme ( currently in excess of 200 million euro ) and while most of this expenditure is funded eventually from Central Government, the Council must provide working capitol and supporting funds from its own resources. Cllr. Keena noted that there were numerous Capitol projects planned for Athlone and that the money raised in Athlone due to recent land sales should remain in Athlone.
8 - March 2006:
What is the status of the proposed special speed limits submitted by the Area members last Autumn?
Reply:
The Area Office is completing a survey of the speed limit locations as required by the Speed Limits Implementation Policy adopted by the members. Area Office and Road Design will liaise in advance of finalizing the recommendations for the full Council.
9 - May 2006:
That this Council check to see if the Solid Fuel Trade Group are in compliance with their voluntary agreement with the Minister regarding maintaining smokeless fuel penetration at 75% in Athlone.
Reply:
Correspondence will issue from the Athlone Area Office to the Department of the Environment requesting this information and response will be advised to the Area members. Cllr. Keena noted that he was eager to ensure that the Solid Fuel Trade Group was in keeping with the agreement. Area Director Barry Kehoe noted Cllr. Keena’s comments and advised that he would revert with response from the Department when it was to hand.
10 - May 2006:
That this Council repair and widen to the proper regulation the footpath on the Cornamaddy National School side of the newly constructed convenience shop on the Ballymahon road.
Reply:
Footpaths and kerbing in this location are to be provided by the developer as part of the planning conditions attached to this development. The planning authority will follow up on this matter. Cllr. Keena advised that he had raised this issue as a result of the numerous complaints he had received in relation to this matter.
11 - May 2006:
That this Council in partnership with Athlone Town Council submit an application to the Department of the Environmnet Heritage and Local Governmnet to be considered for the new capitol fund for local social and community facilities.
Reply:
The Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government wrote to the County Manager on the 10th April 2006 inviting the submissions of three projects under the Social and Community Facilities Capitol Scheme 2006. The submission is to be made in respect of the entire County including Athlone Town Council and the minimum grant available is 100,000 euro. The County Manager is currently compiling a list of possible projects, which will be discussed with the relevant Council in due course. The closing date for submissions is the 19th May 2006. Cllr. Keena thanked the executive for reply received and noted that the Council should do everything in it’s power to secure funding under this scheme. Area Director noted Cllr. Keena’s comments and advised that if the members had particular schemes that were worthy of consideration to advise him.
12 - May 2006:
Further to a motion that I raised in the past regarding improved pedestrian safety at Scotch’s Parade/Castlemaine St. junction, can I please have a progress report on same?
Reply:
The roundabout, which was installed at this location in 2004, regularized traffic flow at this junction. A pedestrian count survey is being arranged by the Area Office to ascertain the need if any and possible location of suitable pedestrian crossing facility in this area.
13 - May 2006:
Further to the excellent work carried out by this Council in erecting signage in the Athlone electoral area, can this Council now consider a programme of work erecting directional signs at all junctions on our roads in the area?
Reply:
There is an ongoing programme of replacement of directional signs on our local roads in the Athlone Area.
14 - May 2006:
When will we have a report on the proposed special speed limits for the Athlone Area?
Reply:
The Area Engineers are finalizing the proposals for 2006. Each area has had to validate many proposals as a result of the proposals received from members. This validation involves the assessment of current speeds, review of accident history and inspections of the road environment at each location. As soon as all areas have submitted their validated proposals, Road Design will commence the statutory processes for these locations. This is a countywide exercise and thus delays from any one area may cause some delay to the finalisation of draft by-laws. This is necessary because any special speed limits are affected by such by-laws. During the policy formulation process it was considered that the publication of speed limit by-laws more that once a year would not be efficient. We are expecting that this process will be completed 3 to 4 months ahead of the schedule given in the policy document.
15 - July 2006:
That this Council discuss solutions to stop the anti-social behavior that takes place under the relief road tunnel at Clonbrusk West Coosan.
Reply:
This area is within the remit of Athlone Town Council and this matter will be referred to the Town Engineer for his attention. Cllr. Keena noted response received and added that as the tunnel was constructed as part of the Athlone Relief Road project he would have assumed that it was in the charge of Westmeath County Council. He noted that the area was a magnet for antisocial behaviour and that residents in the area had called for it’s closure.
16 - July 2006:
That this Council explains why and who prioritized a Housing Estate in Mullingar over Cornamaddy Housing Estate for the pilot remedial works scheme within the County announced in early 2005.
Reply:
The priority afforded to the estate in Mullingar is in keeping with the policy adopted by the Members in the Council’s Social & Affordable Housing Action Plan 2004-2008. Over the period of the Plan Westmeath County Council propose to progress 10 schemes. The Cornamaddy Housing Scheme is among the schemes identified. Cllr. Keena noted reply received and added that he didn’t accept the answer received.
17 - July 2006:
Can this Council arrange to have the grass cut at Kilmartin’s Roundabout and other parts of Athlone on a more frequent basis?
Reply:
Grass is being cut in this location and other locations under the remit of Athlone Area Office on a regular basis.
18 - July 2006:
Can this Council write to Iarnrod Eireann requesting that the White Railway Bridge be painted as soon as possible?
Reply:
This matter will be referred to Iarnrod Eireann for their attention.
19 - July 2006:
Why are the Midland Gateway logo signs not yet erected on all approach roads to Athlone particularly as Mullingar and Tullamore have them erected?
Reply:
These signs will be erected within the next 4 weeks.
20 - September 2006:
That this Council in conjunction with Athlone Town Council provide a left hand turning lane on the Brawney Estate spur road at the Sports Centre Roundabout to alleviate traffic congestion exiting from Brawney & the Athlone Regional Sports Centre.
Reply:
This matter has been referred to Athlone Town Council, which is the authority for this roadway. Cllr. Keena disagreed with this response stating that any works at this junction will affect the main Westmeath County Council road and major traffic congestion will result from the proposed additional houses in Brawney. The Director of Services informed the members that a detailed study, including pedestrian safety will be undertaken in conjunction with Brawney 2.
21 - September 2006:
That this Council discuss the shortfall in DPG funding in the Athlone Electoral Area and brief the members on the available funding in the other electoral areas in the County.
Reply:
Westmeath County Council received an increased allocation from the DOEHLG of 360,000 euro to cover DPG’s and ERG’s. This includes consent to fund our portion of this allocation from internal resources , ie 240,000 euro from the DOE and 120,000 euro from internal resources. 147,000 euro has been allocated to Athlone and the balance to the other three electoral areas. Cllr. Keena welcomed the Directors response but expressed concern that approved grants may not be paid out this year, while other electoral areas may not fully spend their allocations.
22 - September 2006:
Can this Council please give me an update to a motion that I raised over six months ago with regard to making the junction at Scotch’s Parade and Castlemaine St. pedestrian friendly? This was requested in conjunction with Athlone Town Council.
Reply:
This matter is still under consideration by Athlone Town Council.
23 - September 2006:
Following this Council repairing a major water leak in McCormack Park which required severe tree trimming of about 20 meters of leylandis hedging, can this Counccil prune the remainder of the hedge in conjunction with local residents in the interest of visual attractiveness and also spread clay over the exposed area? Reply: Additional works involving the laying of an ESB duct are required and the hedge will be pruned in conjunction with these works. This work will be completed by the end of the month. 35. That this Council update it’s members on the status of the Coosan/Ballykeeran/Glasson Sewerage Scheme.
Reply:
Additional works involving the laying of an ESB duct are required and the hedge will be pruned in conjunction with these works. This work will be completed by the end of the month.
24 - November 2006:
‘That this Council update it’s members on the status of the Coosan/Ballykeeran/Glasson Sewerage Scheme’.
Reply:
Consultants have been appointed to prepare the final Design and Contract Documents for this scheme, which will be submitted March 2007. Currently tenders are being sought to appoint a contractor to undertake site investigation on the route of the proposed pipelines and at proposed pumping station sites. Detailed design is ongoing but may be modified based on site investigation findings.
25 - January 2007:
That this Council invite a representative from IDA Ireland to our March 2007 meeting to update us on their plans for Athlone and Moate in relation to job creation.
Reply:
IDA Ireland will be contacted.
26 - January 2007:
That this Council provide a roundabout at the junction of Athlone Business Park and the old Dublin Road as soon as possible.
Reply:
Options for the proper management of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at this junction are being considered and it is expected to have a design proposal at this junction for the members within 4 weeks. Cllr. Keena stated this roundabout was necessary and that a levy of 200,000 euro had been conditioned towards it.
27 - January 2007:
Now that both roundabouts at Cornamaddy National School and Clonbrusk have been approved through Part 8 can this Council give the members a timeframe for starting and completion of same?
Reply:
Consultants are currently preparing a detailed design for the roundabout at the R916/N55 as the priority junction. Work will commence when the design is completed and approved by the NRA. The executive will revert to the members regarding the Clonbrusk roundabout within the next 4 weeks.
28 - May 2007:
That this Council discuss the urgent need to spend the development levies on projects and infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for the public.
Reply:
Development Levies are available for the categories of development outlined in the scheme, namely Amenity, Roads, Water and Wastewater type projects. Much of the roads, water and wastewater levies is already earmarked to cover Westmeath County Council’s contribution to major projects in these areas. The amenity money is available and it is intended that this money will be spent on enhancing the County’s amenity areas, such as Coosan and Portlick in the Athlone Area. The provision of Moate Town Park will also require funding. Cllr. Keena stated that development levies were in place a number of years and money needs to be spent and requested a report on proposed expenditure.
29 - July 2007:
What is the delay in erecting the special speed limits signs that were adopted by the Council about six months ago?
Reply:
Athlone Area Office received details of the agreed locations from road design and will arrange the erection of these signs asap. In response to Cllr. Keena it was confirmed that the operative speed limits are as approved in the respective areas but that they are ineffective pending the erection of appropriate signage.
30 - July 2007:
When will this Council present a revised traffic management plan for Athlone to it’s members for the roads under it’s charge as the opening of the new Town Centre is fast approaching?
Reply:
The traffic management plan was adopted by the members of Athlone Town Council in 2003 and provides for a one way system through Mardyke Street and Church Street with pedestrianisation of Irishtown from Dunnes Stores to Ulster Bank. The plan also includes a 4 lane relief road at the railway field and will be implemented in stages as necessary lands are acquired. The Director of Services stated that the one way system would not be in place for the opening of the new Town Centre Development.
31 - September 2007:
That this Council in partnership with Athlone Town Council discuss the need to provide municipal football pitches in the Athlone area.
Reply:
The Council is concentrating its sports facilities on a single campus managed by the Athlone Regional Sports Centre Ltd., at Cloghanboy and any facilities required will be considered by the Board and subject to demand and funding can be provided on the campus. The critcal mass and professional management available on the sports centre site should not be diluted or lost by the unnecessary dispersal of expensive facilities around the Town. Cllr. Keena stressed the need for municipal pitches outside this site highlighting that open spaces in some housing estates are not being maintained and they are ideal for communal sport activities in association with the residents. Stating more pitches are required for various sporting groups he felt they should be managed by Westmeath County Council / Athlone Town Council.
32 - November 2007:
That this Council request the Minister for Health & Children to include Osteoporosis in the Longterm Illness Scheme.
Reply:
This request can issue.
33 - November 2007:
That this Council urgently requests Athlone Town Council to provide ramps on the road either side of the pelican pedestrian crossing serving Ashdale & Woodlands in the interest of public safety.
Reply:
This request can issue.
34 - March 2008:
In the absence of a start up date for the Athlone main drainage programme, that this Council inform it’s members of the level of existing capacity within it’s main drainage/sewerage system to cater for further developments within the Town and what timeframe we have before it runs out?
Reply:
The existing treatment plant has the capacity to treat effluent arising from 30,000 population equivalent ( PE ). The current load on the plant is approximately 23,000 PE but allowing for commitments from permitted development, the actual spare treatment capacity at present is approximately 3,000PE which is the equivalent of about 1,000 houses. How long this spare capacity will last depends on the rate of development. While there is spare treatment capacity, getting all foul flows to the plant might be a problem due to capacity constraints in some foul sewers serving certain areas of Athlone.
Generally, the zoned areas of Athlone may be serviced, but developments that contribute significant foul flows to the sewers in the following areas are likely to be problematic
Other than these areas, sewer capacity in the rest of the sewer network is generally acceptable. In response to Cllr. Keena’s concerns the DOS undertook to map problematic sewers where development has commenced.
35 - March 2008:
That this Council discuss the need to provide a pedestrian crossing near the sports centre roundabout on the N55 in the interest of public safety.
Reply:
A new pedestrian crossing is being installed on the Regional Road beside the GAA Pitch ( Pairc Chiarain ) which will serve the area and the need for a pedestrian crossing on the N55 can be examined in the context of the Traffic Management Study being undertaken for this area.
36 - March 2008:
That this Council provide it’s members with a plan plus costings to carry out a scheme of enhancement works along the Baylough road to compliment the existing work being carried out by Roscommon County Council at St. Coman’s Park.
Reply:
Westmeath County Council is supporting the work in Baylough and will pay approximately 27% of the cost, which represents that portion of the scheme that is in County Westmeath. The Council’s contribution will be approximately 180,000 euro. The Baylough road to the east of the scheme can be examined subject to availability of funding.
37 - March 2008:
Can this Council clarify to the public the position in relation to the deferment of the transfer of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly grant scheme administered by the HSE to the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government under the new grant scheme called Housing Aid for Older People?
Reply:
The new grant scheme “Housing Aid for Older People” came into operation on the 1st November 2007 and is being operated by Westmeath County Council. The HSE are continuing to administer the ‘Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant Scheme” pending resolution of outstanding resource issues.
38 - March 2008:
Can this Council provide a safety barrier rail along the narrow footpath near the Robin & Rosie shoe shop in Sean Costello Street in the interest of public safety as a couple of near accidents have occurred there?
Reply:
The Area Office will assess the need for a barrier at this location.
39 - May 2008:
What is the status of the proposed traffic management solution at the Clonbrusk Junction with the N55?
Reply:
The proposal has been forwarded to the NRA for approval and this is awaited.
40 - May 2008:
Further to a motion that I raised in January 2006 requesting this Council to inform it’s members of all land it has in it’s ownership in the Athlone Electoral Area, can this Council inform me as to what is the delay in providing this information?
Reply:
This information is being compiled and the delay has been caused by staff changes and retirements.
