Minutes of January 2025 Meeting of West Clare Municipal District
Location: Held in the Boardroom Town Hall Kilrush and via MS Teams
On: Tuesday 20th January, 2025
Time: 3pm
Present
Councillors
Cllr. Rita McInerney
Cllr. Shane Talty
Cllr. Michael Shannon
Cllr. Ian Lynch
Cllr. Bill Slattery
Cllr. Gabriel Keating
Cllr. Dinny Gould
Cllr. Joe Killeen
Cllr. Joe Garrihy
Officials
Ms Siobhán McNulty Director of Service West Clare MD Kilrush LEA
Mr Jason Murphy Director of Service West Clare MD Ennistymon LEA
Mr John O’Malley Senior Executive Officer West Clare MD Kilrush LEA & Meetings Administrator
Mr John Corry A/Senior Executive Officer West Clare MD Ennistymon LEA
Mr Alan Kennelly Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD Kilrush LEA
Mr Tony Neville Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD Ennistymon LEA
Mr Steve Lahiffe Senior Staff Officer West Clare MD Kilrush LEA
Ms Carmel Carey Staff Officer West Clare MD Ennistymon LEA
Presiding
The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Rita McInerney presided
Votes of sympathy
A vote of sympathy was extended to the following
The Talty Family on the death of Marian Talty, RIP
The Murphy Family on the death of Finbarr Murphy, RIP
The Scales Family on the death of Claire Scales, RIP
Matters Arising
Cllr. McInerney sought an update on motion no. 19 from the November meeting. John O’Malley advised that a reply is awaited.
Cllr. McInerney queried if her motion no. 18 from the November meeting was approved and was advised it was.
Cllr. Lynch advised the meeting that following his meeting with the Roads Engineer, a review of the Town Plan for Kilrush is to take place.
Item 1: Minutes of the November Meeting of West Clare MD held on the 19th November 2024.
Ar moladh Cllr Gabriel Keating Cuidithe ag Cllr. Ian Lynch agus glacadh leis
Rural Development, Planning & Economic Development, Social, Tourism
Item 2: Notice of Motion from Cllr. Michael Shannon & Cllr. Joe Killeen
We call on Clare County Council to outline their proposed plans for their tourism offering in West Clare i.e., Bus connectivity for West Clare to connect north and west thus ensuring added support for our towns and villages.
Reply from Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services, Tourism Department
The Tourism Department, working with the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum and TFI Local Link have developed an information brochure, which is both printed and digital to promote how visitors and locals alike can explore Clare by bus as a sustainable way to travel.
Through the research when developing this brochure, it was established that over 70 of Clare’s towns, villages, and hidden gems can be accessed via bus.
With thanks to services from TFI Local Link, Bus Éireann, Expressway, and the Big Green Bus, locals and visitors can journey through Clare’s unique landscapes and visit our charming towns and villages as well as top attractions with ease.
There have been a specified number of these brochures printed for circulation from the network hubs as above and full information is also available on www.visitclare.ie/bus .
All were unanimous in their support for this motion and thanked Siobhán McNulty for her reply. Cllr. Garrihy referred to the proposed new NTA bus routes which will see Fanore removed from its route . The village is on the main 350 route and under new proposals will be bye passed which is causing major concerns amongst the local community. The members are seeking an urgent meeting with the NTA to discuss proposed changes to the 350 & 333 routes in North Clare before the public consultation period ends on the 6th February.
Item 3: Notice of Motion from Cllr. Joe Garrihy
Ar moladh Cllr Joe Garrihy Cuidithe ag Cllr. Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
I call on the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), Clare County Council, Clare Tourism and Failte Ireland to increase focus and commitment, investment on expanding and enhancing the current service from Corofin to the Geo Park & Key attractions / Villages to link at Kilfenora with the very welcome initiative proposed for Town &Village shuttle around Western area of the Local E to Cliffs of Moher proposed to launch this summer.
Reply from Siobhán McNulty, Director of Services, Tourism Department
Aligning to the North Clare Traffic and Transport Plan, the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040, Clare County Council has tendered for a Pilot Shuttle Bus Service for 2025 and 2026, planned to run for the peak season June, July, and August, with the potential to extend to May and September. The complimentary shuttle service will operate on a predetermined route out and back with designated stops at the towns and villages in North Clare and West Clare.
- Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Liscannor, Cliffs of Moher Experience
- Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Cliffs of Moher Experience
- Liscannor- Cliffs of Moher Experience
- Doolin – Cliffs of Moher Experience
The Hop-On Hop-Off Shuttle is a sustainable transportation service designed to
- Increase footfall to towns and villages, businesses and attraction retaining visitors for longer in Co. Clare.
- Encourage visitors staying in the area to leave their vehicle at their accommodation or designated carparks.
- Enhance the travel experience for tourists and locals by engaging human interaction, delivering guided information and interpretation on the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark and wider Co. Clare offering.
- Reduce car traffic on the North Clare roads.
Clare County Council is engaged with Failte Ireland and the NPWS on this pilot sustainable transport solution with the aim of linking up services to and from other locations.
Cllr. Garrihy welcomed the response saying that it is a game changer for footfall for local businesses in the towns & villages in North Clare and aligns with the principals set out in Town First Plan. Lack of connectivity, he said was the missing link between Clare’s amazing attractions which the shuttle bus service would now address. Fellow members supported the motion saying it was a good news story.
Item 4: Notice of Motion from Cllr. Joe Garrihy
Ar moladh Cllr Joe Garrihy Cuidithe ag Cllr. Shane Talty agus glacadh leis
I call on the West Clare MD to review progress and status on the West Clare priority strategic projects plan which was developed and agreed during the last term of the Council with a view to evaluating progress on their delivery and supporting them to advance for the upcoming schemes opportunities in 2025 and ongoing.
Reply from John Corry, A/Senior Executive Officer, West Clare MD (Ennistymon)
With the formation of a new Council I agree that a full review of the West Clare MD Strategy Workplan would now be timely in order to evaluate progress on the delivery of listed projects as well as to look at the potential of including further projects. I would suggest that a Workshop would be arranged to facilitate same and arrangements can be made to hold same before the next MD meeting.
It was agreed to hold a workshop to review the West Clare MD Strategic Plan. The members requested that the West Clare MD strategy & work plan be structed similar to the Killaloe MD one.
At this juncture, the members took the opportunity to thank John Corry for his dedicated work over the last year with the MD and wished him well as he takes up a new role in the organisation.
Item 5: Notice of Motion from Cllr. Rita McInerney
Ar moladh Cllr Rita McInerney Cuidithe ag Cllr Ian Lynch agus glacadh leis
That Clare County Council, West Clare Municipal District, create a searchable database or spreadsheet to record motions. This database should include details such as the date, proposer, seconder, motion, directorate, extracts from minutes, actions taken, and outcomes, along with references to any associated documents, covering the period from June 2014 onwards.
Reply from John O’Malley, Senior Executive Officer, West Clare MD (Kilrush)
A database of Motions submitted since the start of the current Council in 2024 has been set up by the West Clare MD and we will continue this process forward for future MD meetings. Details of MD meetings held since June 2014 are available on Clare County Councils website at https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/meetings/minutes
Physical Development
Item 6: Notice of Motion from Cllr Gabriel Keating
Ar moladh Cllr Gabriel Keating Cuidithe ag Cllr Rita McInerney agus glacadh leis
To request Clare County Council to resurface the L4165 to include piping the open drain and replace road markings leading to the N68 at Drimeen.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
West Clare Municipal District carried out substantial resurfacing works on the L-4165 & L-41651 as part of our 2023 Schedule of MD Works. There is a short section outstanding where drainage works are required. The 2025 Schedule of MD works is not yet finalised, and this section will be considered for inclusion on the 2025 schedule.
Item 7: Notice of Motion from Cllr Gabriel Keating
Ar moladh Cllr Gabriel Keating Cuidithe ag Cllr Rita McInerney agus glacadh leis
To resurface the N68 from McNamee’s shop at Darragh to Bansha Cross where there are potholes and likewise on the N68 west of Lissycasey to Tullycrine adjacent to the L6132 and the L61662 to include the layby’s outside Kilrush.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
West Clare Municipal District will patch any potholes caused by the recent cold weather over the next few weeks. The N68 is a National Secondary Road, and all resurfacing works will have to approved and funded by TII. I will forward the request to our colleagues in Roads & Transportation, who liaise directly with TII.
Item 8: Notice of Motion from Cllr Gabriel Keating
Ar moladh Cllr Gabriel Keating Cuidithe ag Cllr Ian Lynch agus glacadh leis
To repair the road verge on the alternative road leading to the Rahona road. This road is used in the event of storms or flooding in an emergency as in the past to assist the residents in the area.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
The road in question is not in the charge of Clare County Council. The road does act as a dam keeping estuarine waters from land at Kilcredaun. There are a number of residential houses and some farmlands that would be isolated if the road were breached. West Clare MD will explore opportunities to secure funding to repair the road verge.
Item 9: Notice of Motion from Cllr Bill Slattery
Ar moladh Cllr Bill Slattery Cuidithe ag Cllr Shane Talty agus glacadh leis
On behalf of concerned homeowners and residents of Lislarkin Liscannor regarding flooding of their homes after excessive and prolonged rainfall, that Clare Co Council would engage with the O.P.W. and landowners in the area to alleviate their serious concerns.
Reply from Tony Neville, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Ennistymon)
The watercourse in question is the Ballysteen River. This watercourse is not part of a Drainage District Scheme (Local Authority responsibility) or an Arterial Drainage Scheme (OPW responsibility), hence responsibility for maintenance and upkeep rests with the relevant landowners.
Clare County Council staff have already engaged with the landowners adjacent to the Ballysteen River and are confident that a programme of works will be undertaken shortly which will reduce the risk of future flooding.
Item 10: Notice of Motion from Cllr Bill Slattery
Ar moladh Cllr Bill Slattery Cuidithe ag Cllr Shane Talty agus glacadh leis
How much money has Clare Co Council spent on the maintenance and upkeep on the two buildings Blakes & Linnane’s since they were purchased, and because of the delay with the judicial review process what plans (if any) are in place for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and steps going forward.
Reply from Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer, Property Management Unit
Since the buildings and yard were acquired by Clare County, there has been minor maintenance carried out to the buildings on an ongoing basis, as issues are identified. In 2022, specialist contractors were engaged at a cost of €30,000 to replace the roof on the rear extension to the Blake buildings as there was damage to the roof which was causing water ingress to the building. An assessment will be done as to what further works are needed to repair elements (including facades and shopfronts) of both buildings, and the galvanised structure to the rear, as it is in poor condition.
Cllr. Slattery expressed disappointment at the current condition of the two buildings at Blakes Corner saying that the buildings aren’t just a safety hazard but an eyesore. Given the volume of tourists who pass through the bridge going to the Cliffs of Moher, he asked if remedial works can be carried out on the buildings, wall and pavement ahead of the tourist seasons which begins on St. Patricks weekend.
Item 11: Notice of Motion from Cllr Ian Lynch
Ar moladh Cllr Ian Lynch Cuidithe ag Cllr Rita Mcinerney agus glacadh leis
That the West Clare MD extends the 50 KPH speed limit on the L2054 at Knockerra 100 meters southwards to improve road safety on the approach to the village.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
Improving Road & Traffic safety concerns us all. The 2023 Speed Limit Review is being implemented. The Review recommends reducing default speed limits on a number of roads -
- default speed limit on national secondary roads to reduce from 100 kmh-1 to 80 kmh-1
- default speed limit for the network of local and rural roads throughout the country to reduce from 80 kmh-1 to 60 kmh-1
- default speed limit on urban roads, which include built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres, to reduce to 30 kmh-1
The Speed Limit review implementation process will reduce the speed limit on the L-2054 from 80 kmh-1 to 60 kmh-1. Hopefully the reduced speed limit will slow drivers down and thus improve Road & Traffic safety in the area. The extension of the 50 kmh-1 speed limited area in Knockerra village southwards by 100 linear metres along the L-2054 is currently the subject of a speed limit appeal. That process should be allowed to run its course.
Item 12: Notice of Motion from Cllr Ian Lynch
Ar moladh Cllr Ian Lynch Cuidithe ag Cllr Rita McInerney agus glacadh leis
The WCMD / CCC requests that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) undergo safety works along the N67 from Kilrush GAA Ground to the Moyne Court Cross. The area is traversed by 100's of walkers daily as part of the Slí na Sláinte designated route with a weekly traffic count of approximately 7000 vehicles 3.2% HGV movement (source TII). In recent years a number of vehicles (HGV and Cars) have come off the road and over the embankment. The margin needs to be widened to allow for walkers, and the embankment needs suitable protection installed.
Reply from Michael McNamara, A/Senior Executive Engineer Transportation Department
Clare County Council acknowledges the presence of the Sli na Slainte walking route on the referenced section of the N67 and commits to issuing a request to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for the provision of an increased roadway width to accommodate dedicated pedestrian facilities and necessary additional provision of public lighting on the N67 from its junction of the L-2060-4 to the grounds of the Kilrush Shamrocks GAA club.
Item 13: Notice of Motion from Cllr Ian Lynch
Ar moladh Cllr Ian Lynch Cuidithe ag Cllr Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
That the R473 from the junction of the R486 to Kilrush town would be included in the salting programme. This road contains the milk distribution centre for the supply of retail milk for West Clare and is essential that suppliers can access this centre to maintain supply during cold weather. The R487 is the main artery to the peninsula and a critical piece of infrastructure allow people to access services in West Clare can this also be included as well as the Back Road and Cappa Road in Kilrush.
Reply from Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer Physical Development
Clare County Council provides a winter service plan which, as far as reasonably possible, through its priority routes allows the safe movement of vehicular traffic on the more important strategic defined routes of the road network, while minimising delays and accidents directly attributed to adverse weather conditions. Clare County Council’s winter service plan is targeted at the national secondary, regional and strategic local roads within the county with the Motorway and National Primary Routes treated by TII through its Maintenance Contractor. Given the scale of the resources involved in delivering this winter service plan, it is not possible to provide this service to all parts of the road network and it may not be possible to ensure that all routes are kept free of ice or snow at all times on the treated routes in this winter service plan.
Clare County Council undertakes Priority Routes 1 & 2 on each treatment amounting to 703km of road network and additionally in certain severe weather events, such as the recent prolonged cold snap, undertakes additional treatments nightly on Priority Routes 3 which covers an additional 67km. Emergency treatments were also carried out across the county where resources allowed during daytime hours, but priority routes will always take precedence due to their significance in the wider road network.
In addition to the routes defined in the winter maintenance plan
the Council has also allocated mini gritters and an allocation of salt to each of the Municipal Districts for their utilisation at their discretion and subject to available resources. Clare County Council has also procured additional weather sensors to be utilised on the National Secondary and Regional Road network to be placed on existing priority routes but also on routes not forming part of the current Priority Routes. We will be installing a new weather sensor on R487 and this will better inform our Winter Service Plan Review in the future.
In addition to the above, on an annual basis Clare County Council undertakes an annual review of its Winter Service Plan and Priority Routes to consider issues which have been raised by members of the public and Public Representatives.
Cllr. Lynch said a review of the Winter Maintenance Plan is needed to ensure that main access routes are included. Cllr. Gould noted that there are a number of houses at Decomade who were unable to get in/ out of their houses and asked if were an option for the MD to acquire their own salt stock and deploy local spreaders to grit such roads. The members paid tribute to the Roads Crew in the MD who were out in difficult weather conditions salting routes in the last few weeks.
Item 14: Notice of Motion from Cllr Joe Garrihy & Cllr. Shane Talty
We call on West Clare MD to include the main road from Lahinch to Doolin & Lisdoonvarna via Liscannor & Cliffs of Moher in the winter road maintenance program at least at level 2 grade or otherwise to arrange for closure of this section of Wild Atlantic Way & Cliffs of Moher Center to tourist and non-essential traffic during orange warning snow and ice conditions.
Reply from Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer Physical Development
The R478 and R479, in addition to another 4 No. routes form Part of the Priority 3 Routes under the Clare County Council Winter Service Plan. Under the Plan, Priority 3 Routes are subject to treatment where resources allow following the standard treatments of Priority 2 Routes.
In the recent cold snap, despite our resources being subject to extreme pressures, the R478 and R479 were subject to treatments during daytime hours initially, but from the 5thJanuary received a nightly treatment up until the 11th January when the current cold spell diminished as part of the Winter Service Plan.
Clare County Council has procured additional weather sensors to allow for increased monitoring of weather and road conditions at 5 No. additional locations throughout the county. This will allow for further assessment in nightly treatments and will also allow for consideration of additional routes that may require nightly treatment based upon a number of factors including the data received from the new weather stations. We will be installing a new weather sensor on the R478 and this will better inform our Winter Service Plan Review in the future.
In addition to the routes defined in the winter maintenance plan;
the Council has also allocated mini gritters and an allocation of salt to each of the Municipal Districts for their utilisation at their discretion and subject to available resources.
Although Met Eireann provide excellent weather forecasting for major weather events there can be significant variances across the county and therefore we would not be committing to any road closures until a full assessment of an affected road can be undertaken.
The Members welcomed the reply and requested a review of the Winter Service Plan to ensure that key routes are included.
Item 15: Notice of Motion from Cllr Dinny Gould
Ar moladh Cllr Dinny Gould Cuidithe ag Cllr Ian Lynch agus glacadh leis
Flooding on the R483 between Cree and Cooraclare, north of Alva Cross and the Kerry Road. Longstanding history of flooding in this road stretch, in a blind spot on a dip in the road, cars are in the flood before realising it is there, road needs immediate improvement works to prevent flooding going forward for once and for all.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
West Clare MD carried out works previously at this location which alleviated the localised flooding. It may be that some drains have become blocked over time and some of the drains must be cleared again. The West Clare MD technical team will meet with Cllr. Gould and affected landowners on site in the near future.
Item 16: Notice of Motion from Cllr Dinny Gould
Ar moladh Cllr Dinny Gould Cuidithe ag Cllr Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
Concern from residents on the L2114 from Ahey Bridge east for 3km approximately to Glynns, road is sinking and subsiding and in dire need to resurfacing, the repairs done prior to Christmas have now subsided.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
West Clare Municipal District carried out substantial resurfacing works on an adjacent section of the L-2114 (L-2114-29, the western side of the Ahey Bridge) as part of our 2023 Schedule of MD Works The 2025 Schedule of MD works is not yet finalised, and the L-2114-16 & L-2114-0 will be considered for inclusion on the 2025 schedule.
Cllr. Gould said that any work that can be carried out here would be appreciated as the road is in bad condition and subject to numerous complaints.
Item 17: Notice of Motion from Cllr Dinny Gould
Ar moladh Cllr Dinny Gould Cuidithe ag Cllr Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
Enhanced lights required west of Quilty church, a minimum of 2 to 3 streetlights required west of Quilty church where there is residential housing on road back towards Seafield.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
The road in question is the L-2088 from Quilty village towards Seafield. Public lighting is provided between Quilty village and Quilty Church. After a gap of approx. 150 linear metres another section of public lighting is in place. I believe that this motion is requesting that public lighting be provided in the 150-metre gap.
I believe that 4 lighting columns will be required, along with c. 150 linear metres of ducting and electric cable, and connection to the ESB network. The work may be complicated by the presence of a deep land drain adjacent to the carriageway edge.
I will get an estimate of the costs involved and the team in the MD will explore opportunities to secure funding to deliver this project.
Cllr Gould expressed thanks for the reply and the undertaking given to look into it.
Item 18: Notice of Motion from Cllr Michael Shannon
Ar moladh Cllr Michael Shannon Cuidithe ag Cllr Shane Talty agus glacadh leis
I call on Clare County Council to co-ordinate with Uisce Eireann on the vital Coore Water Scheme to be re-laid before the vital summer tourism season.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer, West Clare MD (Kilrush)
I contacted Uisce Éireann’s Engineer for the project. The scope of the Coore project has increased and Uisce Éireann now propose to repair approx. 6km (rather than 2km) of defective watermain as part of the scheme. The extended scheme is due to commence in 2025.
Cllr Shannon welcomed the response. He said that this is a crucial part of infrastructure and advised that on speaking to Uisce Eireann works on the scheme are due to start in March. He thanked the local MD and UE teams who inputted into the scheme.
Item 19: Notice of Motion from Cllr Michael Shannon
Ar moladh Cllr Michael Shannon Cuidithe ag Cllr Ian Lynch agus glacadh leis
I call on the West Clare MD to review hedge cutting for all regional roads.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
Before reviewing hedge cutting on the regional roads in the MD, it might be considered that there are several factors that influence our hedge cutting operations –
- National legislation and in particular Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Heritage Act 2018.
- European legislation, and in particular:
- the Birds Directive, which designates SPA’s to protect listed rare & vulnerable species.
- the Habitats Directive, which designates SAC’s and aims to protect over a thousand species, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish invertebrates, plants, and 230 characteristic habitat types.
- Clare County Council’s hedge cutting policy which acknowledges Clare County Council’s role in ensuring that overgrown hedgerows do not impede the safe and effective operation of the public road network, but also seeks to protect and enhance the environmental ecosystems of Clare.
- Road and Traffic safety of all road users.
- Biodiversity – please see reply from our Biodiversity Officer.
- Funding.
There are 307km of regionally important roads in the West Clare MD, split almost 50:50 over the two LEA’s. Under the 1993 Roads Act hedge and verge cutting is the responsibility of the bounding landowners. However, Clare County Council does have an important role in ensuring the safe and effective operation of the public road network – including –
- Trimming roadside hedges to maintain visibility for road users, particularly at junctions and on the inside of bends.
- Trimming hedges to ensure growth does not obscure the view of road signs.
- Trimming hedges so that the growth does not affect the safety of road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
- Removing dead / decaying trees & other growth that may fall on the road.
Area Engineers and SGSS’s are very aware of the importance of hedge trimming where road safety might be compromised by excessive growth, and they arrange for hedge trimming as necessary. We prioritise on a case-by-case basis, rather than hedge trimming entire categories or sections of road. The cost to Kilrush LEA in 2024 was a six-figure sum.
Legislation is quite clear – hedge cutting should be kept to a minimum. It allows for work necessary for road safety, but it remains clear that the majority of hedge cutting should be carried out between September & February.
Clare County Council’s hedge cutting policy (June 2011) states that hedge & verge trimming will be carried out as required (my emphasis) on regional roads – this to be funded by the allocation specified in the Annual Roadworks Programme and normally facilitated by the Council’s Own Resources.
Clare County Council has a Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme. This scheme encourages a joint approach with communities, groups of local residents and landowners for the cutting of hedges. The scheme provides a grant of €50 per km of roadside hedge attended to. The minimum length of road network per application is 5 km.
As previously noted, Kilrush LEA spent a six-figure sum last year on hedge cutting – much greater than our allocation under the 2024 Schedule of MD Works and funded from our own resources. I estimate the cost of hedge cutting an additional 300km of road at €100k to €120k, money that is simply not available from our Own Resources.
Increasingly when we carry out hedge cutting, we get two distinct reactions from the public –
- Thank you for cutting the hedges,
- You are in breach of legislation, you are cutting hedges out of season, please stop.
We have to try and balance the concerns of both groups, and I do not think it is practical – for the reasons outlined – to cut approx. 600km (300km * 2) of roadside hedgerow on our regional roads in their entirety each year.
Item 20: Notice of Motion from Cllr Shane Talty
Ar moladh Cllr Shane Talty Cuidithe ag Cllr Joe Garrihy agus glacadh leis
Request that in the preparation of the 2025 Schedule of Municipal District Works, that a far greater allocation of own resources is committed to Hedge Cutting. 2024 was €150K (€15K Community Grants & €135K between MD's). I suggest this figure must at least double to help meet the output required.
Reply from Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer Physical Development
The issue regarding funding for hedge cutting will be considered subject to budgetary provisions during the preparation of the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025.
Motions 19 and 20 were taken together and following discussion the Members are requesting a meeting with the incumbent Minister for Agriculture to discuss funding for hedgecutting countywide.
Item 21: Notice of Motion from Cllr Shane Talty
Ar moladh Cllr Shane Talty Cuidithe ag Cllr Joe Killeen agus glacadh leis
Request an update from Roads Design Office on progress of plans for a traffic management solution at the square in Miltown Malbay.
Reply from Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer Physical Development
Clare County Council have been in further discussion with TII regarding the issue of traffic flow at the square in Miltown Malby following their earlier approval for survey work to be completed. TII are equally committed to progressing this scheme.
The next phase of the project is to determine pedestrian and traffic counts on the various routes that converge at the square. We will be tendering and looking to complete this survey work during Q1 2025. Based on those results we will then progress to develop a feasibility and options report for submission to TII for further discussion and hopefully approval. This will then be followed by detailed design work, TII approval, statutory approvals and ultimately the approved scheme delivered on site.
Cllr Talty expressed frustration at having to re-submit this motion having previous done so in 2023.
Suspension of standing orders was proposed by Cllr. Lynch and agreed to allow the meeting to continue.
Item 22: Notice of Motion from Cllr Rita McInerney
Ar moladh Cllr Rita McInerney Cuidithe ag Cllr Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
That Clare County Council initiate and carry out essential flood relief measures by clearing the drains along the northern side of the N68 in Lissycasey, specifically between Decomade and Benedin. These works are urgently required to address the severe flooding of adjacent farmland and local side roads, which has arisen due to the obstruction of the drains and is causing hardship on landowners and residents alike.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
West Clare MD has not received any reports of flooding of the public road network in the Decomade and Benedin areas. The road surface level of N68 was raised in this area some years ago and flooding has not been an issue since then. We are not aware of any of any flood event on the local primary (L-4230) or local tertiary (L-63441) roads located on the northern side of the N68 in Decomade and Benedin. I’d suspect that clearing some drains on the southern side of the N68 might help flood waters in farmland dissipate more quickly (as the direction of groundwater flow / surface water flow is South – towards the Shannon Estuary), but this is a guess. Clearing drains on private property is a matter for the landowner concerned, rather than Clare County Council. If there is an issue with roadside drainage, I will contact the local roads overseer on behalf of the elected member.
Item 23: Notice of Motion from Cllr Rita McInerney
Ar moladh Cllr Rita McInerney Cuidithe ag Cllr Michael Shannon agus glacadh leis
That Clare County Council, West Clare Municipal District, take the necessary steps to install a pedestrian crossing on Cooraclare Road in Kilrush. This crossing will ensure the safe connection for children, teenagers, and adults traveling between the enhanced development at Active Kilrush, Kilrush Community School, nearby residential areas, and other pedestrian pathways.
Reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Kilrush)
The West Clare MD receives an increasing number of requests for road safety and traffic calming measures, typically at schools, community facilities and at the entrances to our villages.
Any road safety &/or traffic calming measures incorporated into the public road network will have to be approved and designed by our Road Design Section to ensure compliance with relevant road design standards. The Road Design Section may not have capacity at present to design multiple new road safety and traffic calming measures.
Much will depend upon the final design arrived at, but at present the West Clare MD does not have a budget for designing / constructing significant road safety measures / traffic calming measures. A funding source will have to be in place before works could be considered.
Our SEO has requested that councillors prepare a list of the locations where road safety &/or traffic calming measures are required. We could then prioritise the locations, and ask our colleagues in Road Design to design the required measures. The MD team can then explore opportunities to secure funding to deliver the road safety measures. The hope would be that a few measures would be delivered each year, on a multi-annual basis.
The members agreed to hold a meeting to identify a list of safe route to schools projects that can then put forward for Active Travel funding.
Item 24: Notice of Motion from Cllr Joe Killeen
Ar moladh Cllr Joe Killeen Cuidithe ag Cllr Joe Garrihy agus glacadh leis
We call on Clare County Council to undertake a study of the flooding on the entrance road to Ruan Village (near the Shop) and put in place remediation measures to alleviate the situation.
Reply from Tony Neville, Senior Executive Engineer West Clare MD (Ennistymon)
Clare County Council commit to undertaking a study of this area with a view to identifying a suitable solution.
In general, Ruan village is prone to occasional flooding as there is no natural drainage outfall in or near the village. All road gulleys in the vicinity installed in recent years are simply connected to local soakaways beneath adjacent lands.
Cllr. Killeen welcomed the reply.
Item 25: Correspondence
No correspondence received
Item 26: Any other business
- The next MD meeting will take place on Thursday 20th March at 3pm in the HUB, Ennistymon
- Joe Garrihy enquired about timelines for submissions for 2026 Active Travel funding
- Meeting to be arranged with Oireachtas Members before the next MD meeting
Conclusion
The meeting then concluded.
Signed: ____________________________ Cllr. Rita McInerney
Cathaoirleach
Signed: _____________________________ John O’Malley
Meetings Administrator
Date: ____________________________
Page last reviewed: 20/01/25
Content managed by: West Clare Municipal District
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