BBCH MD Minutes 25 05 09
Minutes of Meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held in Ballyhaise Community Centre, Ballyhaise, on Friday 9th May 2025 at 3.30pm
Presiding:
- Councillor Stiofán Conaty, Cathaoirleach
Present:
- Councillor C Kelly
- Councillor N Smith
- Councillor V Smith
- Councillor C Brady
In Attendance:
- Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services
- Clinton Mulligan, A/Senior Executive Engineer
- M. Conroy – Minutes Administrator
Cathaoirleach S Conaty welcomed all to the meeting and complimented the Community Centre Building in Ballyhaise and all involved.
Confirmation of Minutes
- To confirm Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on 24th March 2025.
Proposed by Councillor C Kelly, seconded by Councillor C Brady and resolved “that minutes of meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held on 24th March 2025 be hereby approved”
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
N/A
2. Disclosure of Interests
There were no disclosures of Interest.
3. Correspondence
Mr Andy Slowey, outgoing Chairperson of Ballyhaise Development Association, gave a short presentation to the meeting on the work of the association. He provided details of the funding the association has received from Cavan CC over the past four years and of works completed to enhance the area. He spoke of future plans and of continuing the good work in the area. Cathaoirleach S Conaty congratulated the association on the great work that has been done. This was endorsed by the other Cllrs present.
4. Members' Items
1. Cllr S Conaty Chun aird a tharraingt ar drochstad an bhóthair L1517 idir shráidbhaile Chnoc Rua agus Carraig Mór, Béal Átha hÉis, ag fiosrú faoin dóigh a bhféadfaí dul i ngleic leis / To highlight the worsening condition of the L1517 between Redhills village and Carrickmore, Ballyhaise, and to ask what measures can be taken to address this: Cathaoirleach S Conaty advised that he had spoken to Mr C Mulligan in the meantime about this road. It is the main road out of Redhills. It is very narrow and deteriorating badly and asked if anything can be done about it. Mr C Mulligan advised that the L-1517 is classified as a local
primary road and that like many local roads, it is narrow in places if you meet a lorry or a school bus but that is outside of our control. He stated that the condition of the road is quite good, the shape is reasonable, and that when he inspected it very recently, he didn’t encounter any potholes on it. He confirmed that the road has a current road condition rating of between 7 & 8 which indicates that structurally the road is fine. It would benefit from being on a surface dressing programme in the next few years if funding permitted. Cathaoirleach S Conaty thanked Mr Mulligan for this update and said that the main issue was the narrowness of the road.
2. Chun fiosrú faoin féidearthacht an Nasc Áitiúil Slí C3 a athstiúradh tríd Chos an tSearraigh / To enquire about the possibility of redirecting Local Link Route C3 to include Castletara: Cathaoirleach S Conaty informed the meeting that there is a bit of duplication of services on the local link C3 route at the moment. He stated that the C1 route if okay but wondered how we could redirect the C3 service to include Castletara. He enquired as to whether we could write to the NTA requesting same. Mr C Mulligan advised that this service is Operated by TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan who are one of the 15 national Transport Coordination Unit’s, who have responsibility for managing the provision of Rural Transport on behalf of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the Cavan and Monaghan Area.
He confirmed that Cavan CC made enquiries with TFI Cavan /Monaghan and were advised that the procedure to request a new bus stop or change to the route would be to:
- E-mail TFI the request
- They will send to the planners in the NTA for Review
- The NTA in turn after reviewing the request, may if they feel the request is feasible send details
on proposed bus stops & any infrastructure requirements to the local authority for approval.
Any request would need supporting evidence that there is a valid justification for it, that it would be used by enough people. It was also noted that The C3 route is a timetable service meaning the times it runs are linked up to other bus route timetables.
Cllr Niall Smith enquired about a local link service for Bailieborough/ Canningstown/ Cavan and Mr C Mulligan advised that it would be the same procedure. Cllr V Smith mentioned that in Stradone people stopped using the local link as the bus service is so good already, going every half hour Dublin-Cavan each way. Cllr N Smith asked if we can write to TFI looking for a route for Canningstown. Cllr C Brady and Mr P Connaughton advised that Padraig Smith, Local Link, is the person to contact.
3. Feabhsuithe á lorg ar mharcálanna bóithre agus rampanna moillithe sa Drong / Asking for improvements to road markings and speed ramps in Drung: Cathaoirleach S Conaty mentioned that road markings at Drung speed ramps, Bunnoe junction and Tullyvin need touching up especially at the Church of Ireland building in Drung. On the other side, towards Lisboduff, there are the remains of an old line which needs to be redone also. He advised that the ramps in Drung are broken up for the past 18 months and asked if they are on a plan to be repaired? Cllr C Brady supported this request. She stated that the edges on both sides of the ramps have eroded away and requested that full ramps be installed as the half ones are not fit for purpose. Mr C Mulligan replied that it is the M/D’s intention to replace the existing speed cushions on the R188 in the village of Drung later this year and that existing road markings, where required, will be refreshed at this time also. Cllr C Brady thanked him for this.
4. Cllr N Smith asked if the Final Draft of Bailieborough Traffic Flow Report available. This plan was at Draft Status in September 2024, and was expected to be completed in 2025. If this report is not available what is delaying its publication: Cllr N Smith enquired as to when we could expect completion of this report. Mr C Mulligan confirmed that the report remains in draft format. Discussions have taken place between Cavan County Council and the NTA and comments were made on the initial draft report. The report has now gone back to the NTA with comments included for their further review. There is a current category 2 rural regeneration and development fund (RRDF) application submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development. Public realm rejuvenation and upgrades
along with improved town core access are among the proposals under this application. We have have to wait and see if this application is successful first as it may have implications for proposals under the Bailieborough Transport Study. Cllr N Smith asked if footpaths were included in this. Mr C Mulligan and Mr P Connaughton confirmed that they are part of the application.
5. Regarding Traffic Warden Service in Bailieborough Town, I am seeking an update to enquiries made by myself in 2024; has any contact been made to Environmental Section to investigate if bye-laws could or would be passed to allow enforcement of parking: Cllr N Smith advised that parking is a big problem during the day in Bailieborough. Cllr C Brady stated that shop owners are at fault in some instances as they are parking for the day. Mr C Mulligan confirmed that Environmental Services are currently reviewing and drafting byelaws in relation to all of Cavan. It is intended to bring the Byelaws before the Council as Byelaws for Cavan Town first and then separate byelaws for the remaining towns (with parking restrictions) in County Cavan. The byelaws in relation to Cavan Town are currently under legal review and it is hoped to have the byelaws for the remaining towns (including Bailieborough) sent for review shortly. It is then intended to undertake consultation including the SPCs, Full Council and Public, prior to being brought forward for adoption by the Council. Mr P Connaughton asked Cllr N Smith for clarification i.e. was he looking for two-hour parking enforcement. Cllr N Smith replied that yes, he was. Mr P Connaughton said that parking is problematic in Bailieboro due to construction works being currently carried out by the OPW but the parking issues will ease when works are completed. Cllr N Smith stated that the road works cause havoc but recognised that this can’t be helped and needs to be done.
A.O.B
Cllr C Kelly requested an update on Main St, Shercock. He mentioned that Shercock Tidy Towns are anxious that something is done. It is particularly bad around the school. Cllr C Brady and Cllr N Smith mentioned that they also received an email about it. Cllr C Brady advised that she had sent a copy of the RWP out to them. Mr C Mulligan replied that he had already spoken to the Cllrs and also to Shercock Tidy Towns, advising that the street is part of the RWP and will be done this year. He couldn’t give a specific timeframe but stated it will be done by, latest end of November, but hopefully by late summer. Cllr C Kelly requested that the potholes beside the school be filled in the meantime. Cllr C Brady mentioned that they had already been filled. Cllr C Kelly asked if there was priority for towns. Mr C Mulligan explained that some rural roads need priority for Surface Dressing and that the roads are completed in sequence and in accordance with available resources. Cllr N Smith stated that the town is being left out. Mr C Mulligan advised that it is not being left out. It is on the RWP programme and will be completed in due course this year.
Cllr C Kelly advised that there are no road markings at the bottom of Corrygarry and that he has had complaints about this dangerous junction. There is a lot of industry in the area and traffic is busy. Mr C Mulligan agreed to organise line marking for this location.
Cllr C Kelly mentioned trees that had fallen at Cabra View. Mr C Mulligan advised that Road Works programme takes priority, and resources are limited at the moment. Cllr Kelly also mentioned fencing in Cabra View which was put up by the Council. He said it is rotting and is worried that someone may fall in. Mr C Mulligan advised that he would have a look and assess.
Cllr C Kelly said that there is no warning sign for ramp at Supervalu on the Kells Rd. Mr C Mulligan replied that it had been agreed that a zebra crossing would be installed, hopefully this summer and that he has asked for warning signs.
Cllr C Kelly enquired about the footpath at Mount St. Josephs. Mr C Mulligan informed meeting that he had spoken to Wilkins contractrors and is meeting with them in the next few weeks to move on before winter.
Cllr C Brady wished Cllr S Conaty well for his upcoming wedding and all the Cllrs endorsed these good wishes.
Cllr V Smith enquired about signage in Stradone village. Mr C Mulligan advised that he has ordered a new sign for beside the Cross pub. He also mentioned a sign from the village to Lavey which slides and when fixed doesn’t last. Cllr V Smith mentioned recurring potholes beside the Cross pub. He did acknowledge that when he contacts the MD we get the potholes filled but that they are reappearing quickly. Mr C Mulligan stated the road from Fall of the Water – Stradone is not on the RWP. He said we did sectional repairs here before and that we are engaging a contractor in the next few weeks to repair part of that road.
Cllr N Smith requested signs at East Knockbride Church. Mr C Mulligan advised that there is a Finger Post sign application process to be followed. Cllr N Smith thanked Mr Mulligan for arranging removal of trees from the green in Drumbannon.
Cllr S Conaty enquired if the fence on Adelaide Rd in Bailieborough is owned by Cavan CC and if so, can we repair it. He stated that CE scheme workers had maintained it over the years but that it is not their fence and they are unable to maintain it going forward. Mr C Mulligan advised that it is our property. First step is to get a cost estimate and take it from there. Funding would be taken from our Own Resource funding which is very limited. Mr P Connaughton advised that we would have to fence it as it is our property. Cllr N Smith stated that he had reps about this also.
Cllr C Brady mentioned that it would be courteous to email the Engineer about AOB before the meetings and Cllr S Conaty endorsed this. Cllr C Kelly stated this his AOB was in relation to matters arising.
It was agreed that the next MD meeting would be held on 9th June 2025 at 3pm in Cootehill.
The meeting concluded at 4.30pm.