Killucan rail consultation ‘must involve residents’

Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad

There is a need for consultation with the residents of Killucan and Kinnegad on the future of Killucan railway station, Cllr Denis Leonard contended at the December meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

The Labour councillor formally requested that the district work with the director in charge of transport in the council to ensure that the feasibility study group contracted to report on Killucan station consults with local community groups and individuals in the Killucan and Kinnegad areas.

His hope, he explained, is that based on the outcome of the study, that Westmeath County Council can make a business case on the successful outcome of the study.

“I did meet with the feasibility group myself for an hour and a half, and I think it’s just important that the consultants do as wide a brief as possible,” Cllr Leonard stated.

He added that Kinnegad is a commuter belt area, and he hoped that the study would actually reflect that when it is presented.

By way of response, the executive confirmed that Irish Rail has commissioned consultants to prepare a pre-feasibility study on public transport needs for the areas of Killucan, Kinnegad and Hill of the Down.

“The consultants are engaged in local consultation as part of the process. The council will consider the next steps when the study has been completed,” the reply concluded.

Delvin flooding work to be done

Repairs were to be carried out “in three weeks” to a location in Delvin where flooding is an issue, the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad assured Cllr Frank McDermott at the December meeting. Cllr McDermott had asked that the district extend the surface water drains, at and opposite a particular house in Stoneyford Park, Delvin.

“The resurfacing may be considered as part of the 2024 estimates, Cllr McDermott was told.

At the same meeting, Cllr McDermott asked that the district make safe Corboy Lane L5766 at Castletown Finea. The response was that drainage works at that location will be considered as part of the 2024 estimates.

Cllr Frank McDermott brought a breach in the boundary wall at Mayne, Graveyard, Coole to the attention of council officials at the same meeting, where he asked that the wall be repaired.

The response stated that some repairs had been carried out on the wall and that further repairs will be carried out in 2024 subject to funding approval in the estimates.

Cllr McDermott said he had not seen any repairs, and asked that it be re-examined.“It would be a pity to let it fall asunder,” he said.

Cllr McDermott also asked that the district remove the root from road number L5740 at Benison, Castlepollard. “This road will be examined and works undertaken if required,” was the response supplied.

Fair Green speed ramp sought

“It’s a small bit of work – but it could have a significant impact on somebody’s life,” stated Cllr Andrew Duncan as he asked at the December meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad that a speed ramp be installed between the roundabout at Fair Green and Columb Barracks. The response from the district was that it will be examined as part of the 2024 estimates.

Cllr Duncan said he hoped it would be more than “examined”, as a lot of children cross the road at that location going and coming from school, and getting to the playground at the Fair Green.

At the same meeting, Cllr Duncan requested that hedges opposite Ardleigh Vale and at the railings at Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn be cut. The district stated that the work will be carried out as part of the current hedge cutting season.

Dangerous trees at College Hill

A request that the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad prune “the several dangerous trees” in College Hill estate was made by Cllr Andrew Duncan at the December meeting. The response to Cllr Duncan stated that the trees have been added to the pruning schedule.

Cllr Duncan also asked that traffic calming measures be installed at Ballagh/Cullionbeg, and the response was that traffic calming works have been carried out along the Ballagh Road in 2022.

Cllr Duncan was concerned that there appeared to be some confusion about the exact location to which he was referring, and it was agreed that a meeting can be held on site.