News from Mullingar Municipal District, Westmeath County Council

News from Mullingar Municipal District, Westmeath County Council

Updates from or about:

• Delvin
• Castletown Geoghegan
• margins on local and regional roads
• Lisclogher junction
• Rathowen school speed limit
• Council-owns land banks

 

Rarun cul de sac

Mullingar Municipal District will not be providing stone to residents living on the Rarun cul de sac at Crowenstown, Delvin, Cllr Una D’Arcy was informed.

Replying to Cllr D’Arcy’s motion asking the council to supply stone to the residents, the MMD said that the section of road which is public is in good condition and that the remainder of the road is not its responsibility.

Martin Murray, director of service, told the Sinn Féin councillor that the residents can apply for funding through the Local Improvement Scheme.

Cllr D’Arcy also the council to repair the footpath outside the priests’ house in Raharney. She was informed that the section of footpath has been included in the 2016 estimates for resurfacing and work will be carried out as soon as possible.

Castletown-Geoghegan footpath

He may have been told that there is no funding for a footpath from Castletown Geoghegan to the local GAA pitch, but Cllr Andrew Duncan will continue to raise the issue until he receives a positive outcome.

Speaking at the April meeting of the MMD, the Fine Gael councillor said that he will continue to highlight the need for a footpath until it is done.

Cllr Duncan also asked the MMD to carry out roadworks at Whitepark, Dysart. He was informed that the work would be carried out during the Road Restoration Programme, subject to the Community Contribution being received.

Edging problem

More work needs to be done to maintain the roadside margins on local and regional roads, according to Cllr Johnny Penrose. Speaking at the April meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District (MMD), Cllr Penrose said that there appears to “be a problem with the edging of roads” in recent years.

Replying to Cllr Penrose, the MMD said that “the use of ‘super singles’ on truck trailers and agricultural equipment is causing the road edges on all roads to be damaged”.

“This a national problem. Mullingar Municipal District will continue to monitor all roads and essential maintenance will be carried out.”

 

Lisclogher junction

Cllr Frank McDermott has called on the council to repair the “very dangerous” L5526 from Lisclogher junction to the Meath border, outside Delvin. Replying to his motion submitted at the April MMD, the council said that works would be carried out in the coming months.

The Fine Gael councillor also called on the MMD to erect ‘Dangerous Junction Ahead’ signs on the N52 at the L5531, L5530 and L5525 junction at Ballinlough.

He was informed that the adequacy of the existing advance warning signs on the N52 and the local roads will be assessed in the coming weeks.

Rathowen school speed limit

Cllr Avril Whitney has called on the MMD to review the speed limit at St Thomas’ School, Rathowen. Replying to Cllr Whitney’s inquiry, the MMD said the route will be considered as part of the MMD’s speed limits review.

The Fianna Fáil councillor also asked the MMD to “explore the possibility” of improving the bad bend at Balroe, Ballynacargy. She was informed that the matter has been transferred to the council’s transportation section.

Land banks

Cllr Mick Dollard wants to know the number of land banks in the MMD.

Responding to his inquiry at the April meeting, the council replied that it currently has 265 ‘properties’ in its county-wide asset register and that it would have a figure for the MMD, minus “graveyards, car parks, green areas, lakeshore”, in time for the next meeting.