BBCH MD Minutes 25 01 20
Minutes of Meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held in The Courthouse, Cootehill, on Monday 20th January 2025 at 4pm
Presiding:
- Councillor Sarah O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach
Present:
- Councillor C Kelly
- Councillor N Smith
- Councillor S Conaty
Apologies:
- Councillor V Smith
- Councillor C Brady
In Attendance:
- Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services
- Clinton Mulligan, A/Senior Executive Engineer
- M. Conroy – Minutes Administrator
Confirmation of Minutes
- To confirm Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on 18th November 2024.
Proposed by Councillor C Kelly, seconded by Councillor N Smith and resolved “that minutes of meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held on 18th November 2024 be hereby approved”
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Cllr N Smith enquired if we had any response from TFI in relation to bus stop request. Mr C Mulligan advised that we have written to them but have not yet received any response.
Disclosure of Interests.
There were no disclosures of Interest.
Members' Items
3. Cllr C Kelly requested an update on Bailieborough road footpath and lights: Cllr C Kelly requested an update on footpath and lights on the Bailieborough road at Cluain Dara Estate. He stated that local people feel he is doing nothing to address the issue. He mentioned large tailers pulling in there and with children walking home from school this leaves a very dangerous situation. He asked what the MD are prepared to do the rectify the situation. Mr C Mulligan stated that funding for
such projects generally comes under Active Travel grants. Cavan CC received 3 million in funding this year, which whilst welcome, is significantly down on funding received in the previous two years. Funding received is allocated to specific schemes such as Station Road, Cootehill Active Travel scheme. However, Mr C Mulligan informed the meeting that he has discussed this with Active Travel, and they have agreed to submit an application to the NTA for funding for a 2026 active travel scheme. Cllr C Kelly replied that putting it back to 2026 is not acceptable, the area is not safe and that he has raised this issue several times. He enquired if the money for Dun a Rí Lane could be transferred to cover this. Mr C Mulligan replied that we need specific Department funding and that we don’t have sufficient own
resources to deal with this. Mr P Connaughton informed the meeting that the MD do take this seriously but that there is no specific funding stream available for footpaths. All that is available is the NTA/Active Travel schemes. He advised that Dun a Rí Lane is an annual application which cannot be transferred. He advised that the issue of people pulling in/congregating may be an issue for the Gardai. Mr C Mulligan advised that footpath is approx. 150m with additional public lighting to the Cluain Dara estate required. Mr P Connaughton said we could look at costings but that, in reality, there is no alternative funding stream available.
4. Cllr C Kelly requested update on junction from St. Mary’s road to Kells road: Cllr C Kelly advised that there had been two small accidents since last meeting and that if there was a ramp it would slow down traffic and help to avoid these incidents. He stated it would be inexpensive to do this and emphasised the huge volume of traffic in the area as there is a school and also Supervalu. Mr C Mulligan informed the meeting that this location was previously submitted to the Department
under a Low Cost Safety Scheme application but was not approved for funding. The list of approved schemes for 2025 has not yet been released by the Department. Cllr C Kelly asked that a ramp be installed as it would help a lot and would be low cost. Mr C Mulligan said he would first see what schemes get Department funding for 2025 and look at Road Design to see what could be funded through the MD. He advised that a new zebra crossing will be installed at Supervalu and said that if
people are breaking the speed limit, that is a garda enforcement issue.
5. Cllr C Kelly requested update on Kells road to Moynalty sign: Cllr C Kelly said that the pole had been put up but no sign yet. Mr C Mulligan advised that the sign should be delivered within the next 2 weeks and would be installed then. Cllr C Kelly expressed his thanks.
A.O.B
Cllr C Kelly stated that an ash tree had fallen on the Lisagoan road and was lying in a dangerous position. Eircom had referred the owner to Cavan CC. She is an elderly lady who is anxious to get it sorted. Mr C Mulligan replied that he would contact Eircom himself.
Cllr S O’Reilly enquired as to the possibility of getting public lighting at Ballinamoney National School. She acknowledged that there is a very limited budget for lighting but requested that it be considered. Mr C Mulligan stated that as the school is in a rural area, funding is extremely limited. As school hours are primarily during daylight hours this may not be the most appropriate use of funding as regards value for money. There are a number of locations within our towns, along popular walking routes, which would be seen as a greater priority.
Cllr S O’Reilly also asked about pencil bollards for the footpaths to prevent cars parking on them. Mr C Mulligan replied that he could look on site and see if they were appropriate.
Cllr S O’Reilly enquired as to what the €20,000 funding allocated for Market Square junction would cover. Mr P Connaughton advised that it is to keep the project alive. The NTA primary focus is Active Travel. He said the junction may be different so the MD are trying to exhaust every funding stream and considering alternatives. Zebra crossings may be looked at.
Cllr C Kelly asked at what stage we would be filling potholes again. Mr C Mulligan replied that this is ongoing work and that we have crews working on potholes on an ongoing basis. Cllr S O’Reilly enquired as to when the sign for Canningstown which was ordered a while back would be installed. Mr C Mulligan said he would follow up on this.
Cllr N Smith mentioned that a lot of road signs are turned the wrong way. Cllr S O’Reilly agreed and mentioned that signs at New Inns/Grousehall and Bailieborough/Lavey road have also been turned.
Cllr S O’Reilly informed the meeting that the Kells road has flooded again due to flash flooding and that a few cars have been badly damaged. She requested that two areas be considered if there was any funding available i.e. the Virginia Rd, Bailieborough has a dip in the road which holds water and also at Brannions on the Virginia/Kells road. Mr C Mulligan advised that there is an application in under the Climate Adaptation fund at the moment for Teervurcher Junction/Kells Rd.
Cllr C Kelly asked Mr P Connaughton, through the Chair, if the promised extra funding for roads becomes available, can the roads plan currently in place be reviewed. Mr P Connaughton replied that we would review, should any extra funding become available.
It was decided that a date for the next meeting would be arranged at a later time. (It has now been scheduled for 24th March at 4pm in The Station Master’s House, Railway Station Building, Kingscourt).
The meeting concluded at 4.30 pm.