Castlebar councillors have a long to-do list

Management of Castlebar Municipal District has been tasked with a host of clean-up and maintenance jobs.

A variety of issues were raised at last month's meeting with Cllr Al McDonnell getting the ball rolling by highlighting the blockage of the footpath on Castle Street due to safety works. Cllr McDonnell said he had received a lot of complaints on the danger posed, particularly for people with buggies who are unable to negotiate the corner.

“I know there is a risk of materials falling down off the building due to storm damage but because it is so close to the junction it must be rectified.” 

The new bus shelters in Balla also needed attention, he said, due to side panels making it difficult for drivers to see people waiting. He suggested these could easily be made transparent, while the platform on the shelter across from The Square was extending too far out in the road. In Killawalla, there was concern that the new shelters are too close to the bend, he added.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said the clean-up after Storm Éowyn must continue as there were loose bushes, slates and timber everywhere.

“I know an excellent clean-up has been done but the fact is there are not enough people to do it fully and resources seem to be scarce."

He also highlighted the absence of the Castlebar road sweeper, which "is a long time in the sick bay".

"We never see it out anymore and it is high time to fix or replace it," he said.

Cllr Kilcoyne added that the Balla pedestrian crossing at the school was still not sorted and should have been done when the street was resurfaced.

Cllr Cyril Burke requested an update on the Active Travel schemes for Balla and Breaffy. The planned pedestrian crossing at Moneen also needed expediting.

“There is a lot of traffic on that road now, a lot of people working in the N5 Business Park going in and out, also at Cedar House and Elverys. A lot are on foot and cycling so we need to get that moving.” 

Cllr Burke said locals in Finney, Tournakeady, were looking to create a walking trail, adding: “It is an area of our constituency we don’t give too much attention to. I think we could give some assistance.” 

Cllr Blackie Gavin highlighted recent flooding at Cashel in Turlough and said work was promised to relieve it.

“It has still not been done, the problem I think is with the drainage. There are craters now in the road, it is highly dangerous.” 

He also noted that were "an amount of trees down on the greenway to Turlough".

"[They] have fallen across the river and blocked it in several places and also down below at the sewerage treatment plant there, so something needs to be done. There is some amount of damage all round. I know the council is clearing as much as it can.”

Cllr Gavin said the footpath on the old Westport Road, opposite Mountgordon, is also "highly dangerous" and asked when the lights there would be switched on. He also mentioned flooding at the back of the Mountgordon estate and called for new surface drainage there.

Cllr Ger Deere also referred to the situation at Mountgordon and said there was serious flooding at the level crossing at Cloggernagh, Islandeady, even though the road was worked on just two years ago. 

“On a dark night, this will cause a serious accident, it’s a complete lake when flooded and someone will go right into it and straight into the level crossing gate.”

Cllr Deere noted that the old Islandeady Road, coming onto the new N5, was frozen over recently and extremely dangerous.

"Six cars went in on the embankment and nearly went over a dangerous slope. The amount of money that was spent on these projects for this to be happening is completely wrong.” 

Cllr Deere also said unsafe trees in Ashwood Estate on the Breaffy Road urgently needed cutting.

“A lot of trees went down there and are not in a safe position. Any little bit of wind could knock them, this must be looked at before it becomes more serious.” 

Cllr Harry Barrett wanted to know why the solar panels on up to 18 social houses in Heathervale Estate are not in operation.

"They are not switched on and the residents tell me they are not reaping any benefit from them.”

Cllr Barrett also highlighted a derelict building in the centre of town, opposite Sports Direct. 

"There is no movement on it. It says it is sold but nothing is happening with it. It is unsightly, a significant building in this town. It has to be renovated for apartments.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Donna Sheridan referred to an RTÉ report where interviews were carried out at the halting site in Castlebar. 

“They were saying living conditions were terrible and the district and the council were doing nothing to assist them so I ask for an update on any work planned there because it was very damning of us.” 

Cllr Sheridan also raised the issue of a pedestrian crossing at Moneen, saying: “I have asked that we write to Bus Eireann to see if we can get the bus stop at the Primary Health Care Centre because people have to come into the centre of town bus stop to get there.” 

Responding to issues raised, Head of the District David Mellett said the clean-up following Storm Éowyn is still ongoing. 

"There are a lot of branches and slates still on the ground and with the hedge-cutting season ending, we have been focusing on just cutting trees down in time and will then focus on the clean-up and there is scope in the legislation if more time is needed where trees need to be cut."

In relation to Breaffy Active Travel, he said the council is working on documents to go out to tender and Balla is at the route selection stage.

Mr Mellett said the council had "extensive talks" with the residents at the halting site. He said the contractor had withdrawn from the site and he would update councillors on this issue later.

In relation to the flooding at Mountgordon, he said the council staff would investigate it.