Mullingar Municipal District

Greenway

The need for people to have clear and accurate knowledge of the entrance points to the newly constructed greenway was highlighted by Cllr Emily Wallace at the June meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District.

Directional signage and the entrance to the greenway at strategic locations across the town was imperative, she argued, while expressing hope they would be completed before the summer and in time for the tourist season.

In a detailed reply to the question she posed at the meeting, Cllr Wallace was informed the contract for the work, which included the provision of 75 signs on both the trackway and adjacent routes, was almost complete.

The works include the upgrading of existing signs with greenway and Old Rail Trail logos, the provision of six decorative map boards, 10 A3 map boards and six car park map boards.

Station signs at Moate, Streamstown and Castletown-Geoghegan are also to be erected. In their reply the council said the work is 95 per cent complete.

Cllr Wallace welcomed the fact the work is happening.

Rathwire church

The need for improved safety measures at Rathwire church was also raised by way of a question, by Cllr Wallace. Seeking the carrying out of a safety audit at the location, she stressed that people attending the church must cross a very busy road to reach the car park.

She was informed that because the footpaths on both sides of the road fall within the 50kmh speed limit, it was not proposed to carry out an audit.

However, Cllr Wallace stressed that the provision of new houses in the area served to increase the volume of pedestrians who must cross this road.

Lackenwood Road potholes

There were no potholes evident on the Lacken to Lackenwood Road when an inspection was carried out there, an unimpressed Cllr Emily Wallace was informed.

Recent heavy traffic along the cul de sac adjacent to the Carrick to Multyfarnham road had led to subsidence and potholes appearing, Cllr Wallace claimed.

However, in a reply the council said the road was in a satisfactory condition.

Director of services, Martin Murray, added that there were no potholes evident when the road was inspected.

Fore wetland

The possibility that an Integrated Constructed Wetland might be built at Fore was mooted at the June meeting.

Having tabled a question asking that the council work with Irish Water to provide an ICW at Fore Group Sewerage Scheme, Cllr Frank McDermott was informed the existing wastewater treatment plant at Fore has been inspected by Irish Water.

The provision of the new system would be a matter for Irish Water and their decision is awaited.

Cllr McDermott said it would be very appropriate to have an Integrated Constructed Wetland at this site and said discussions had taken place with two landowners.

Lynn Avenue footpaths

Westmeath County Council has confirmed that repairs to the footpaths in Lynn Avenue in Mullingar will be carried out over the coming autumn.

The news was warmly welcomed by Cllr Johnnie Penrose, who had tabled a question seeking clarity on when the works would be undertaken.

Design and contract documentation for the repair of the bridge at Churchtown, Ballynacargy is in the process of being finalised, Cllr Penrose was informed.

The work is being done under the 2017 Bridge Rehabilitation Programme and the county council anticipates that the project will go to tender in the coming weeks with a view to finalising the work by the end of September.

Before a formal request is submitted to Irish Water in relation to the taking in charge of the sewerage treatment plant at Newtown, Mullingar, landowners will be required to alter their land ownership, Cllr Penrose was informed.

In a reply, the council said the pumping station and rising main are currently in private ownership.

Castlepollard Community College

The person responsible for damaging the digital signage display at the Community College in Castlepollard, Cllr Paddy Hill was informed by way of a reply from the council.

He was informed that the damage was committed within a month of €4,882 having been spent on the installation of the digital speed sign. He was informed the matter will be reviewed.

Strattenstown, Ballinea

Motorists exiting from Strattenstown, Ballinea are to enjoy improved sight distance, Cllr Ken Glynn has been informed.

Having tabled a motion for the June meeting, he was pleased to learn that the improvement work will be carried out once the Regional Road verge trimming programme has been completed.

A vacant site at the Clarkemount, Old Clonmore, Brosna estates has become unsightly and overgrown, according to Cllr Glynn.

He was informed that correspondence has issued to the property owner in relation to the site.

Gainstown

A call for help for a householder in the Gainstown area, whose property is affected by off-road water on a regular basis, was issued by Cllr Glynn.

He is having a hard time and the council should help him, Cllr Glynn suggested.

However, in a reply, the council said the house in question is a split level dwelling and the driveway is lower than the road.

Ballinea traffic safety

Cllr Duncan was less pleased with a reply to his question relating to a traffic safety audit at Ballinea.

“It's only a matter of time before we have an accident in this location,” said Cllr Duncan after learning there were no proposals to carry out a safety audit in Ballinea.

Improved advance warning signs and road markings had been put in place there in 2015, he was told.

The fact that the Roads and Transportation Section within the council were not aware of any recent accident in the area of the filling station in Rochfortbridge meant no safety audit was proposed for this location, Cllr Duncan was informed.

There is already traffic calming close to the station which falls within the 50kmh speed limit.

Cllr Sorcha Clarke was informed that Westmeath County Council have liaised closely with Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns in relation to the provision of litter bins in the village.

Cllr Clarke had tabled a motion asking that more bins be provided there.

In a written reply, she was informed the number of bins had been reduced from 28 to 18 due to over supply.

Some of the bins were relocated at the request of the local Tidy Towns committee who reported that they are happy with the reduced bin installation in the village.

Grange pitch parking

A review of the adequacy of car parking spaces in the area of Grange football pitch was also raised by Cllr Clarke.

She was informed that by and large, there is adequate parking there though on occasions, surrounding organisations could be approached if greater parking capacity was required.

The council have no plans to provide railings in the area of Brosna Court, Relic Road, Kilbeggan, Cllr Clarke was informed.

She stressed that a new enterprise has recently been established in this area and the area is busier as a result.

However, in a reply the council said there was no history of incidents close to Brosna Court which lies within the 50kmh speed limit.

Delvin street crossing

Westmeath County Council is to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in relation to the pedestrian crossing at Main Street, Delvin.

The matter was raised by Cllr Paddy Hill, who hoped that it would be possible to upgrade the crossing.

An agreement reached between Very Rev Patrick Moore and Westmeath County Council in relation to works at St Mary’s Church, Finea is to be honoured, Cllr Hill was informed. The agreed works will be carried out as soon as possible.

Cummerstown junction

Work on staggering a junction at Cummerstown, Collinstown is to be carried out in the autumn, Cllr Frank McDermott was informed by way of a reply.

Cllr McDermott was also pleased to hear that potholes on the Burrow Road leading to Ballyhealy, Delvin, in order to make it safer for road users, are to be attended to in the coming weeks.

Ashe Road works

Remedial works to relieve flooding at a property along the Ashe Road in Mullingar will be undertaken, Cllr Andrew Duncan was informed.