MULLINGAR MUNICIPAL DISTRICT NEWS: Toilets and shop needed at greenway
Toilets and shop needed at greenway
A plea to have toilets and a place to buy refreshments and ice-creams provided at the start of the greenway, was made at the most recent Mullingar Municipal District meeting by Cllr Ken Glynn.
“Credit in relation to the improvements that have been made there recently,” he said, noting that some facilities had been put in place.
“That’s a start,” he said, going on to remark on the numbers now using the greenway, particularly during the recent spell of good weather.
“While the numbers are huge and it’s great to see a lot of people stopping in that area, the one thing that jumped out at me was the missed opportunities,” he said, citing the lack of toilets and refreshment outlets, especially in contrast to how things are on the Mayo greenway and the one in the south east.
Cllr Glynn said he accepted that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but the area should not be letting itself miss a trick.
“We’re now in peak time: this is the peak season – and the registrations clearly told me over the weekend there are a lot of visitors coming,” he said.
Director of services Martin Murray said he acknowledged what Cllr Glynn was saying and that it was great to see the numbers out, but, “this is a long-term project”.
Mr Murray said that when the entire route to Galway has been opened up, it would be a different marketing project.
He also reminded members that at the next county council meeting, the Mullingar Municipal District will be considering potential by-laws for the greenway.
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Ardmore and Marlinstown issues raised with MMDC
It will be at least two years before a replacement roundabout is provided on the Old N4, at the entrance/exit to Ardmore Road, Cllr Michael Dollard was informed at the most recent meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District Committee (MMDC) where he sought an update on the roundabout replacement plans.
The formal written response said that “Mullingar Municipal District will comply with conditions of Part 8 Phase 1 as outlined, on the opening of the adjoining new school”.
Explaining what the response meant, director of services, Martin Murray, reminded the meeting that when the councillors made their decision on the Part VIII process for Curraghmore NS, detailed conditions had been put in place, and these were set out for completion in three distinct phases.
The first phase relates to when the school opens; the second kicks in two years after that, and the third four years after the school opening.
“The members made the right decision in terms of putting in place phasing because it is anticipated that [after] the building of the school the surrounding zoned lands will be developed,” Mr Murray said.
This, he continued, would bring in development contributions, which could fund the roundabout cost.
It was anticipated, he concluded, that the work would be done in Phase 2.
At the same meeting, Cllr Dollard learnt that the MMDC’s Environment Section has sought permission from Environmental Protection Agency to look at options for the now disused Marlinstown Landfill Site.
Cllr Dollard had asked that the MMDC look at the possibility of using the now disused Marlinstown Landfill Site for future sports and recreational usage.
By way of response, the MMDC explained that its contact with the EPA was aimed at establishing the extent of such a project, and examining whether there were any possible constraints regarding the development of the site as an amenity area.
The reply continued: “The recent success of Westmeath County Council’s court case regarding the lands adjoining the landfill permits the completion of the infrastructure of the Electricity supply works by EirGrid.
“The court judgement also facilitates the completion of a land agreement between Westmeath County Council and adjoining landowner.
These individual phases will when finalised will outline the potential overall lands which can be identified for the proposed project.”
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Portnashangan light request
A request that “a second look” be given to his suggestion that a light be erected at Portnashangan, Mullingar, was made at the most recent meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District by Cllr Paddy Hill.
Cllr Hill was disappointed when the council’s response to his request for a light at the location of the new road layout was that there was “no warrant for lights at this location”.
Arguing that there was a definite need for a light, Cllr Hill received support for his call from Cllr Brian Crum.
“It’s a very dangerous junction,” Cllr Crum said.
Responding, director of services, Martin Murray said that the determination on the question was made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
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Action needed for more school choices – Clarke
A claim that not enough is being done to assess the demand for non-denominational schools has been made by Cllr Sorca Clarke.
At the June meeting of Mullingar Municipal District, Cllr Clarke proposed that the authority call on the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, TD, to extend the survey for demand for non-denominational schools to all parents with children yet of school-going age.
This was with a view, she said, to getting a more complete view of the future of patronage of schools.
Cllr Clarke said that at present, the pool of people from whom views were being sought was too shallow and would never provide a true reflection of what it is that parents want.
She suggested that the Child Benefit Section – which at present contacts parents several times a year – be tasked with ascertaining the picture.
Cllr Clarke also said that the survey should be confined to the parents of preschool children.
Cllr Clarke also proposed that the MMDC call on the HSE and the Department of Education to recognise the ongoing and future needs and varied support requirements for survivors of institutional abuse.
The Sinn Féin woman stated that €110m had been set aside to compensate the survivors of institutional abuse.
“The amount spent was €80m. That €30m left doesn’t include a further €7m still owed by the churches,” she said, pointing out that the money would run out, and new applications are due to be stopped.
Some of those who would be entitled to compensation have died and some have left the country, “but the vast majority are still living here”, Cllr Clarke said, before asking what would happen when the money runs out.
Cllr Johnnie Penrose indicated that he shared Cllr Clarke’s concerns and he suggested that a letter be written to the relevant minister on behalf of the Mullingar Municipal District setting out these concerns.
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Féile success hailed by Shaw
The GAA Féile na nGael hurling and camogie competition co-hosted by Westmeath two weeks ago brought an influx of 20,000 people into the host counties, Cllr John Shaw stated at the most recent Mullingar Municipal District Committee (MMDC) meeting.
“It was a major success,” he said, as he extended his thanks to the MMDC for its support of the event.
“Certainly, I think this is something the council should be further engaging with if it ever was to come back to the county.”
Cllr Shaw said over 6,000 hurlers and camogie players visited the Connaught region and Westmeath over the weekend of Féile, a number swelled to 20,000 when families and supporters were taken into account.
“Talking to a few of the hoteliers in Mullingar and the restaurants, they all got ‘a touch’ out of it. It was a major boost to the local economy,” he continued, adding that the event was a great way of showcasing Westmeath.
Cllr Liam McDaniels also extended his congratulations to the clubs and volunteers behind the event, as did Cllr Emily Wallace and MMDC chairman, Cllr Bill Collentine.
Director of services, Martin Murray, confirmed that the event had been a success and stated that the council was always prepared to facilitate such occasions.
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Road safety issue raised by Wallace
A plea to have the white line on the road be continued from Streete Community Park to Lismacaffrey, in the interests of health and safety, was made by Cllr Emily Wallace at the June meeting of the Mullingar Municipal District Committee (MMDC).
However, the Fine Gael woman was not impressed by the MMDC response – which stated that there is no history of accidents at this location and it is not a policy to install white lines on local roads.
“Do we need ‘a history of accidents’?” she asked before pointing out that at night time, that road is very dark, and white lines would improve safety.
“No: we’re just stating facts, that we don’t have any history of accidents there,” responded director of services Martin Murray, before going on to explain that the council does not put white lines on local roads because of the number and length of such roads in the area, unless there are accidents happening in an area.
Cloughan
At the same meeting, Cllr Wallace asked that Mullingar Municipal District write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland about re-instating the lights at Cloughan.
“As outlined at the May Meeting, this matter is being investigated with regard to its feasibility,” the MMD response stated.
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Duncan and Glynn raise Mullingar issues
A number of Mullingar issues of concern were raised with the executive of the Mullingar Municipal District Committee (MMDC), by Cllrs Ken Glynn and Andrew Duncan at the most recent MMDC meeting.
Abbeylands
The two separately asked that MMDC raise the height of the boundary wall between St Brigid’s Terrace and Abbeylands, to eliminate this area being used as a crossover.
The written response from the MMDC stated that this is a private wall surrounding a private apartment development and not a matter for Mullingar Municipal District.
Ardleigh
A request for action over the heavy vehicles continuously damaging the greens and roundabout inside the entrance at Ardleigh Vale was also made by Cllrs Duncan and Glynn.
To this request came the response that following investigation and the pro-active notification to waste contractors through the Environment Section, Mullingar Municipal District undertakes to write to local businesses in the Ardleigh area requesting them to interact with their suppliers regarding access and egress to and from this estate.
Footpath at Clonmore
To a query on when the stretch of footpath between the Railway Station and the Railway Bridge in Clonmore will be resurfaced, Cllr Glynn received the assurance that this work will be done over this summer.
Rochfortbridge potholes
Cllr Duncan asked to have Mullingar Municipal District repair the severe potholes at Farthingstown Road, Rochfortbridge and was told the road will be repaired in the coming weeks.