BBCH MD Minutes 25 07 07
Minutes of Meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held in The Courthouse, Cootehill, on Monday 7th July 2025 at 3pm.
Presiding:
- Councillor Val Smith, Cathaoirleach
Present:
- Councillor C Kelly
- Councillor N Smith
- Councillor S Conaty
- Councillor C Brady
- Councillor A Rogers
In Attendance:
- Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services
- Clinton Mulligan, A/Senior Executive Engineer
- Pat Gaynor, Senior Executive Engineer
- M. Conroy – Minutes Administrator
Cathaoirleach V Smith welcomed all to his first meeting as Chair.
Confirmation of Minutes
- To confirm Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on on 9th May 2025..
Proposed by Councillor C Kelly, seconded by Councillor N Smith and resolved “that minutes of meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held on 9th May 2025 be hereby approved”
Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
N/A
2. Disclosure of Interests
There were no disclosures of Interest.
3. Business prescribed by Statute, Standing Orders or Resolutions of the Council
Estates to be Taken in Charge – Mr P Gaynor
Mr P Gaynor presented a list of estates to be taken in charge in the MD area. He mentioned proposed changes to legislation also stating that up until now we had acted under Section 11 Roads Act. However, having looked at other Local Authorities it was found that using Section 207 of the Planning Act was good practice to adopt. Cllr C Kelly asked Mr Gaynor to explain. Mr Gaynor explained that Section 207 is the new one to be voted on and that it allows the council to declare a
right of way through the green area in an estate. Cllr C Kelly questioned why we would look for a right of way and why it would be needed. Mr P Gaynor advised that it ensures there is no ambiguity and that the council can control the area. Cllr Kelly responded that surely the residents should have control over the green area. Mr P Gaynor advised that we are acting on the best legal advice and that other councils are doing this. Cllr Kelly advised that he would not be voting for the changes.
Cllr S Conaty enquired about streetlights in St Michael’s Close, Cootehill and asked if the lights would be prioritised when the estate is taken in charge. Mr Gaynor replied that the request will go to Roads when estate is taken in charge. Cllr S Conaty reiterated that he wants the issue of the lights resolved and that it can’t be resolved until the estate is taken in charge.
Cllr C Brady commented that she had previously worked with former MD Manager, Alan Lyons, to have St Michael’s Close tarred and drainage works completed. She stated that two lights were installed and are working but that there are two others to be installed.
Cathaoirleach V Smith asked if the green area is not taken in charge, then who owns it. Mr P Gaynor replied that there is ambiguity and that this is the problem they are trying to resolve. Cllr C Brady advised that she had an issue in Cootehill before and the rights of way are always contentious and cause problems in estates.
Mr P Connaughton asked what the implications were if the proposals were not voted on today. Mr Gaynor replied that it remains prepared and ready to vote on again when the Members are happy to do so. Mr P Connaughton asked that the Members study the changes and that the changes be presented again at another meeting. Cathaoirleach V Smith proposed that the matter be postponed until the next meeting. This was seconded by Cllrs C Brady and C Kelly. Cllr C Cllr N Smith requested that Mr Gaynor send out information to the Members as to what the changes entail. Mr P Gaynor confirmed to the meeting that this would be his last meeting as he is retiring. He thanked the Executive and Members. All Cllrs present thanked him and wished him well in his retirement. Mr P Connaughton thanked Mr Gaynor on behalf of the Executive, stating that he had been a trustworthy colleague, providing good advice and had brought a great deal of expertise to the role.
4. Members' Items
1. Cllr S Conaty highlighted the Redhills Regeneration Plan, published by the Redhills Development Association, and to ask the Executive to engage with the group to identify and act upon the needs of the village. In particular, to pass on the arguments for a pedestrian link between the village and the school, church and community centre: Cllr S Conaty confirmed that he had attended the launch of the Redhills Regeneration Plan and that there are 25 key objectives to be achieved within 5 years contained within this plan. He mentioned 3 areas as follows: i) need for housing and development ii) Community Hub iii) pedestrian link between the village and school and community centre. He stated that there is a 1.2km stretch which is currently inaccessible due to safety concerns. He said there is a feeling locally that the village has been neglected in relation to funding and enquired if it is possible that they be considered for future planning and funding. Mr C Mulligan commended the association on the detailed and interesting report undertaken and said that the Executive will work with them, where possible, to provide support and assistance. Its approximately 2km from the existing footpath within the village out to the school on a rural road which is outside the urban speed limits. Land dedications would be needed, public lighting, drainage plus edge of road strengthening. He reiterated, as discussed at previous meetings, the difficulty in securing funding and said that a project of this size would need significant financial investment. We will have to investigate where this funding may potentially come from. Cllr S Conaty enquired as to what works could be completed under existing funding, but Mr C Mulligan advised that there is no funding available for footpaths and that towns would be prioritised if there was any funding available. Cllr S Conaty enquired as to whether NTA or other schemes could be investigated. Mr C Mulligan replied that we did commit to submit an Active Travel application and that it would be submitted. Mr P Connaughton reiterated the funding issues and stated that the 1.2km stretch could cost approx. €300K and that we would have to secure land, public lighting etc. which would be very challenging. He stated that the best prospect for investment may be the Cavan Northwest Greenway project, which should be in the consulting process in the next few months.
2. Cllr S Conaty sought an update on item discussed at May MD meeting, to carry out road resurfacing works in Drung village and road markings leading into the village on both sides: Cllr S Conaty commended the Surface Dressing works and thanked the MD for the work carried out recently. He mentioned that there was a commitment made at the May meeting that the main stretch and ramps would be done. Mr C Mulligan confirmed that surfacing works are scheduled shortly within the 60km/hr speed limits and new line markings and ramps are included as part of the works. Cllr S Conaty mentioned Lisboduff to Treeho in relation to line marking but Mr C Mulligan advised that priority is given to Regional roads and done as part of the Road Works and Surface Dressing programmes and that outside of that funding is not there.
3. Cllr S Conaty sought an update from Active Travel regarding the proposed new bus shelter for Ballyhaise village and to ask if one can be erected also in Cootehill town: Cllr S Conaty stated that Ballyhaise has extensive travel through it i.e. Local Link, Bus Eireann, school buses etc. and that in previous discussions with Active Travel was led to believe a bus shelter would be provided this year. He asked if it would be delivered this year. Cllr C Brady stated that this has come up before. She mentioned Bridge St. in Cootehill where there is a bus stop at the pedestrian crossing across from the library. Cllr C Kelly enquired as to what the
policy is in relation to bus shelters and who is responsible and what, if any, funding is available. Cathaoirleach V Smith fully supported Cllr Conaty is this motion, stating it had been discussed previously and that these bus stops are needed. Cllr N Smith mentioned problems with the stops in Bailieborough stalling and delaying traffic. Mr C Mulligan replied that in relation to Ballyhaise, they are looking at proposals to upgrade the existing bus stop at the square. Cavan county council will design proposals in house which will be submitted to the NTA for review and approval. Cootehill is also being reviewed at present. They are seeking to identify suitable locations for bus stop upgrades, but this can affect parking bays so can be a contentious issue. Active Travel are working with the NTA however there is a procurement issue sourcing shelters from China so it could be next year before they are obtained. Cllr S Conaty enquired as to if the funding for 2025 is not spent, will it be there next year. Mr P Connaughton replied that it is likely it will roll on to next year. Cllr C Kelly asked where bus shelters were being considered for Kingscourt. Mr C Mulligan said he would revert to Cllr Kelly. Mr P Connaughton stated that the N3 corridor was the primary focus.
4. Cllr N Smith asked MD to install Speed Ramps at Mountain Lodge Junction where L3504 and L3510 meet. This junction has become very dangerous as drivers are driving through this crossroad: Cllr N Smith stated that it is very dangerous at the shop, people don’t stop, and he has had several complaints about this. If we could install ramps, it would be a big help. Cllr S Conaty mentioned a similar issue in Shercock on the Bailieborough Road, which he had previously brought up with the MD and that there has been an accident there since. Cllr C Brady seconded Cllr Smith’s motion stating it is a very busy, dangerous area. Mr C Mulligan replied that ramps would not be a suitable option at this location, the junction is in a rural location and added in with the lack of public lighting, drivers would not be expecting ramps here and it would likely lead to serious incident occurring with vehicles hitting the ramps at speed. Cllr N Smith asked if rumble strips are an option, but Mr Mulligan replied that they are not in use any more. Cllr N Smith asked if more signage would help. Mr C Mulligan advised that there is stop sign there. He advised that having previously looked at the junction on the ground, he agrees it would benefit from improved safety measures. Early this year, he requested the road safety section in Cavan County council to consider this junction as a future Low-cost safety scheme. They confirmed that it will be on the referred list for consideration when next year’s application is put together in September this year.
5. Cllr N Smith asked MD to repair and resurface and re-line crossroad at Galbolie at the Bailieborough /Cootehill junction on the Main Bailieborough to Cavan Road. This junction R191/R165 is in a dangerous state with severe potholes and broken road surface, consequently the turning lanes are now obscured: Cllr N Smith stated that the MD had patched this area since his motion was sent in but that it is still not great. Mr C Mulligan advised that the Municipal district had costed up a resurfacing scheme at this junction earlier in the year to see if it was feasible to get the works done and, if needs be, an overlay. There is no dispute of the fact it needs to be done but unfortunately there is simply no spare funding available at present. He advised that realistically we are looking at next
year to try and get more permanent repairs completed.
Cllr A Rogers seconded this motion stating that he has also received lots of complaints about same and requested that it could be kept patched in the meantime.
A.O.B
Cllr C Kelly mentioned the path out the Bailieborough road to a large estate with no lighting. He says residents are surprised that there isn’t adequate lighting, lights go as far as the ballroom but then stop. He asked the Executive to look at this and left it with Mr Mulligan to investigate.
Cllr C Kelly raised the issue of dangerous junctions at Kells Rd, St Marys Rd, Bailieborough Road. He said they are a speed trap and very dangerous. He said that this is being talked about for the last two years, but nothing has happened. Mr C Mulligan stated that at the March MD meeting he advised that no low cost safety scheme was approved in Kingscourt for this year and that without specific funding, the MD is limited in what we can do. However, he is liaising with the road design safety section to see what measures may be suitable and confirmed that he is meeting them on site next week to discuss further, particularly the junction of St Marys Road. Cllr C Kelly stated that if there was at least one ramp it would help and would be a cheap fix.
Cllr C Kelly enquired as to when works would commence on Main St, Shercock. Mr C Mulligan advised that drainage work has already commenced and that tarring should begin in August.
Cllr S Conaty asked if there had been a response to our letter to Coillte re Shantemon. Mr C Mulligan advised that we sent a letter to Coillte on the 20th January 2025 & followed up with a second letter on the 7th April 2025. We have received no response to date.
Cllr S Conaty asked when Annalee Manor Ballyhaise, already taken in charge, can expect streetlights to be turned on. Mr C Mulligan replied that he would investigate this.
Cllr S Conaty expressed thanks to the MD for their support to Drumnaveil Residents Association. He advised that they are in contention for Price of Place awards which take place in September and requested support for a few items as follows:
- Need a pole for a traffic mirror
- Sign needed for cul de sac (creche)
- Pitch owned by Cavan CC but is maintained by the Residents Assoc. Edges are overgrown and it has become a dumping ground
Mr C Mulligan replied that he would liaise with Environment section to see what can be done.
It was agreed that the next MD meeting would be held on 1st September 2025 at 3pm in Cootehill.
Cathaoirleach V Smith thanked everyone present and the meeting concluded at 4.15pm.