Council should purchase barriers for crowd control, says Collentine

A suggestion that Westmeath County Council purchase their own crowd control barriers, which could then be used by the organisers of events such as the St Patrick’s Day parade or bike races, was made at the April meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Proposing the motion, Cllr Bill Collentine said it would save event organisers the expense of hiring them out each time they are required.

In its written response to Cllr Collentine, the district executive stated that the majority cost in the provision of crowd control barriers is the erecting and dismantling of them, rather than the capital cost.

Cllr Collentine was informed that the district has a limited supply of crowd control barriers and it has, on occasion facilitated small community events.

“The district supports larger events by providing traffic management, installation of traffic road closures signage in addition to post event clean ups. Furthermore, the Council administers the annual festival and events grants scheme which provides for financial assistance to successful applicants,” the response concluded.

Mary Street

To a query from Cllr Collentine on when road repairs will be carried out to Mary Street, Mullingar, the district replied that €16,800 has been allocated for the task and the work will be carried out in this quarter (the work has now been done).

O’Growney Gardens

Cllr Collentine asked that the district resurface the road/back lane between O’Growney Gardens and Green Road. “The District can examine the area. Thereafter interventions can be developed, and sources of funding considered,” the response stated.

Greenpark

A final request from Cllr Collentine was that the district look at the traffic management system in Greenpark Meadows. Explaining that the entrance from Ardleigh (C link road) is effectively being used as the main entrance, he said that was leading to safety concerns.

The response from the district stated that its Active Travel Section is preparing a scheme along the C Link to improve the road to facilitate all road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists – which will include all junctions.