Ballina estate still not taken over by council

A call has been made for Mayo County Council to take over Quignalecka housing estate on the Sligo Road in Ballina. 
The estate is almost 20 years old but has still not been taken in charge by the local authority.

Cllr John O'Hara raised the matter at last week's Ballina Municipal District meeting, noting that the estate has "some fine houses" but there are issues arising due to the fact that it is not in the charge of the council.

"Some of the trees started falling out on the roads and stopped bin lorries coming in and now little holes are appearing in the roads and there are also issues with lighting. The man that built the estate came back and cut the trees but that is not the answer. 

"The people in the estate are entitled for it to be taken over by the council, and I would like the council to approach the contractor on this, as the people are not happy and did pay their money for the estate to be taken over when they bought their houses. This was included in the price of the houses, and they are entitled to have the paths and the roads all taken care of.” 

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy supported the call, saying: “This is a pressing issue, the residents are constantly experiencing difficulties, and it is going on for years now and not being dealt with. They look after their properties and deserve the same maintenance and finish of the estate. It is well overdue and important that we get it over the line.” 

Cllr Annie May Reape said councillors were "blue in the face" calling for the takeover.

"It is a shame. This is a lovely estate on the outskirts of town, and it is not fair on residents. They have a committee there and do their best to keep it going but it is not their responsibility to look after lights and roads.” 

Area Engineer Orla Bourke told the meeting: “We are fully in support of working with the active developer on site and have written to and met with them and indicated the works that are needed and have pursued that.” 

In a written statement, she noted further: “Mayo County Council is working with the developer and Uisce Éireann to progress taking in charge and will continue to do so. A site inspection and report have been completed and a list of the necessary works was forwarded to the developer. In addition, Uisce Éireann have advised that they have concerns [in relation to] water services and that CCTV survey and testing data is also required.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.