Category — Council News and Info

Some months ago Council received the sum of circa 40,000 to improve the bend on Cooney’s Lane and install a pedestrian crossing.
The Engineer originally wished to remove a substantial bank at the corner but having consulted with local residents we have now received a map of the proposed layout. In it Council propose to side the pedestrian crossing adjacent to Newton Court just where the ditch and trees line the roadway.

I understand that the Tree Surgeon has recommended the felling of just two trees one ash and one beech, basically the second and fourth tree and to trim the others. Council also proposes to install a footpath to join with other footpath on Cooney’s lane/Hollyville. They propose to trim back the hedge on the opposite side which will widen the current footpath and instal an unregulated crossing in the vicinity.

I am aware that many children in the area go to Scoil Nicloics and when their extension is completed many more will be attending. I am also aware that schools are actively looking at the setting up of School Walking Bus and therefore for this to get off the ground the footpaths and crossings in the area will have to be upgraded urgently.

In the long running saga re provision of an appropriate bus stop on Maryborough Hill I want to inform readers of the current position. Council have indicated to me that they want to progress the matter and you will see from the latest letter that the current position is not good news. However I am continuing to try and find a solution on this matter.

In a recent letter in response to my seeking clarification of the current position I detail contents below

“In December 2004 O’Brien & O’Flynn Ltd. received a Planning Approval (Reg. No 04/963) to construct 156 no. dwellings forming Phase 1 of a proposed development at Maryborough Ridge, Maryborough Hill, Moneygourney,Co. Cork County Council
Condition 35 of the permission required, inter alia, that, in the insterest os orderly development

Bus Stops shall be accommodated along the stretch of public roadway at Maryborough Hill fronting the proposed estate.

The existing Bus Stop, in front of Maryborough Ridge on the City bound site of Maryborough Hill is considered to be unsatisfactory. There is no shelter and no fafe area for intending passengers to wait for the bus. Intending passengers currently have to wait on the opposite side of the road until the bus arrives and then cross Maryborough Hill to board the bus. Bus Eireann and An Garda Siochana have also expressed concerns about the suitability of this bus stop.

It is considered that the Developer should comply with the relevant Planning Condition attached to his Planning Permission and provide the Bus Stop. This work has not been undertaken to date.

In recognition of the delay experienced by the public using the existing bus stop Cork County Council is willing to undertake the civil engineering works to provide a bus stop and the necessary pedestrian facilities at a suitable location. This would include the provision of a pedestrian crossing, attitional lengths of footpath, a hard standing at the bus stop and the diversion of existing services. The estimated cost of this is 25,000 excl VAT and the necessary funding is currently in placer.

O’Brien and O’Flynn have sought to tie in the provision of accommodation works with other considerations in relation to the interpretation of planning decisions at this location. This would not be acceptable to Cork County Council and may prejudice our position in relation to these matters.

In the circunstances it would both be impossible and impractical to undertake these works without the developer creating the necessary setbacks and providing the required accommodation work.”

This is the position as outlined to me but I am renewing my efforts to break the logjam. I have always found both parties to be reasonable and I will again contact them to see if the matter which is of critical importance settled for the greater good.

Current position in Taking in Charge of Estates
South Taken in Charge 337
Application been processed 175
North Taken in Charge 20
Applications been processed 34
West Taken in Charge 11
Applications been processed 19
There are different categories of applications as follows
Estates which have been recommended for tic but are at the Area Committee state awaiting formal approval.
Estates where an Inspection has been carried out, defects have been identified and a snag list sent to the Developer.
Estates which would be at least 12 years sold and, in most instances, the Developer would no longer be operating. These would be in our Unfinished Estates category
Estates for which recommendations are awaited
Estates that have been recommended but as constructed drawing/details are awated from the Developer.

I have a list of Estates in South Cork taken in charge and also list of estates in South Cork where applications are currently being processed so if any constituent wishes to find out if their estate has been taken over send me a query on the web and Ill reply.

I recently asked Council to set up a task force to specifically address the traffic congestion in the wider Douglas area and to seek solutions in the short and medium terms. I wanted the Task Force to comprise Gardai, Bus Eireann, Green Route Engineers and Council Traffic Engineers and to report back in two months.

It has been agreed that Official from the Traffic & Transportation Section who sits on the CASP (Cork Area Strategic Plan) Transportation Sub Committee which includes these stakeholders will review and report back to council.

Officials make the following points:

1′The congestion in question occurs at peak periods at school term and outside of these times it doesnt present a problem. – I believe (with traffic down 11% nationally because of job losses and economic downturn) the situation isnt as bad as it was but that doesnt mean we shouldn’t tackle it.
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2. Traffic congestion at peak traffic hours is an attribute of urban living in areas with a high dependency on the private car. This issue can be managed but cannot be eliminated in the short to medium term.

My view is it could be managed a lot better if the Dept of Transport took specific responsability for funding Bus shelters instead of a commercial entity funding them where there is a heavy footfall for their advertising.
Its very unfair to expect people to leave their cars at home when the alternative is to stand in the wind and rain risking life and limb in the ditch waiting for the next bus!!! (example Maryborough Hill)
Currently we are awaiting funding for the Carrigaline Green Route, upgrade local infrastructure, encourage School Walking Bus.

Constituents can be assured I will continue to highlight and pressurise for appropriate solution whether they are short, medium or long term.

Anti social behavior causes untold misery to many people across the County and perhaps the Country. There needs to be a meaningful penalty which will act as a real deterrent to individuals. To date the problem is increasing and we have no real data as to the costs involved in terms of trying to catch the individuals, processing the law and repairing the damage. In addition, ordinary people who want to live a peaceful life, pay their taxes, enjoy their environment and participate in community activities have to pay the price twice through anxiety and mounting taxes.

Prior to the last local elections many representations were made to me chiefly about such behavior. The local authority have a role in processing fines for the Bye law for the Prohibition of Drinking in Public places, the Gardai issue the fine and the Council send it to the individual some are paid and if not then its up to the Gardai to take it to the courts. This is ineffectual, the fine is derisory, the Gardai and Local Authority’s time is wasted and no real benefit ensues.

I proposed that Cork County Council expand the current Bye Law to take in all anti-social behavior and instead of a small fine have community service to repair damage to property or help the community in a specific way. I also intend (not least because I received a phenomenal reaction across the country) to put a motion before the Fine Gael Ard Fheis on March 19th to urge the Party to follow on from the Local Election Manifesto to tackle the issue at national level. Cork County Council’s Joint Policing Committee is to discuss such a proposal which hopefully will receive widespread support.

The benefits would be two fold the community would have additional help when the work is carried out under supervision, the tax payer cost would be reduced and the embarrassment would be a real deterrent to the offender. Obviously, I am speaking about persistent offenders here not a once off situation. In addition, it would prevent the growing sense of powerlessness in the face of increasing antisocial behavior. Our Gardai can only do so much and the courts may be reluctant to impose custodial sentences for relatively minor offences, especially as our prisons are so overcrowded.

I can be contacted on 087-916 1952 or at info@deirdrefore.ie for more information or if any article is of interest to you.

Thank you, Deirdre.

Ballygarvan School boost

The long running campaign for a new primary school in Ballygarvan received a boost when a proposal from Cllr Deirdre Forde formally recommended disposal of 0.245 acres if land to Cork Diocesan Trustees. This land is required as part of the process to develop a new school, as the number of pupils has risen from 145 to 265 in the past decade and space is limited. Cllr Forde who has two nephews attending the school, said disposal was of immense importance.

Crosshaven
Cork County council are preparing a tourism strategy document, covering an area from Kinsale to Youghal. Crosshaven and the harbour are central to this. The provision of an integrated tourist product including development of the forts for access to the public along with the marketing of this facility will be central to the growth of Crosshaven. The increase in the population of Crosshaven, its proximity to Cork city and with the planned reintroduction of the Cork–Swansea ferry would given this area a huge economic boost.

Carrigaline Citizens Information Centre

The Carrigaline Citizens Information Centre is situated in the portacabin in the Owenabue Car Park on the Main Street of Carrigaline. The information centre is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 1.30pm and the telephone number for enquiries is 021 4376793.
This is a free confidential information advice and advocacy service.

Ringaskiddy still waiting for traffic calming

€10,000 has been allocated for traffic calming 3 years ago but there is no allocation from the National Roads Authority for 2009. A lot of industrial traffic uses the road and the main road through Ringaskiddy is wide and difficult to cross. With plans for a playground, traffic calming is needed in the area more than ever.

N28 Project

Following the decision by government to postpone the upgrade of the Cork to Ringaskiddy road, in favour of the major inter-urban routes, this project has slipped further down the scale. The decision has huge consequences for the entire region and in particular for the future viability for Cork Harbour and the industries based there.

Road in Passage Estate

The roads serving St Marys and St Josephs Terraces in Rockenham, are in dire need of resurfacing. The pedestrian crossing is also in need of upgrading with more markings and signs as it is a hazard. The matters have been referred to the Area Engineer for investigation.

Derelict property on Rochestown Road

Cllr Forde welcomed the action by Council to make secure a derelict property in a prominent position on Rochestown Road.

Home Energy Saving scheme

I am pleased to inform you that the scheme is now open for Homeowner applications. Full details about the scheme, including the application form may be found on the website at www.sei.ie/hes. You can also apply online.

Graffiti – immediate removal is the only solution

“Concerned people and community groups are desperate to help themselves but often do not know what they can do and how easy it can be. I worked with residents groups in the past doing graffiti clean ups and they were very successful and additionally they actually built community spirit too” Tom Solan, client services manager Safe Graffiti Removal Ltd, a former Graffiti Officer with London Borough Council, LBC.

The solution is DIY Graffiti Removal by the provision of graffiti removal kits. This acknowledges the fact that the Council, although supportive of community efforts, cannot do everything. The way forward is encouraging local interest groups to take ownership in the community.

Some prevention methods that help deter graffiti vandals from using walls:

Attractive To Vandals Not So Attractive To Vandals
Smooth Surface Rough Surface
Light-Coloured Surface Dark-Colored
Regular paint Anti-graffiti shield
Patched and dirty Clean and freshly painted surfaces

Tips to make it harder for vandals to get close enough to your walls to write on them:

Use Clinging plants such as ivy, on vulnerable walls. This breaks up the writing space and makes it harder for the paint to reach the wall.
Plant bushes in front of walls (make sure no windows or doors are too close!). This will make it harder for vandals to get close to the wall.
Erect fences between your business and public property. This helps people know where the boundaries are, and also makes it harder for graffiti vandals to get close enough to your wallsResearch has shown that the most effective way to prevent graffiti is prompt removal.

Studies show that removal within 24 to 48 hours result in a nearly zero rate of re-occurrence.

Safe Graffiti Removal is presently supplying graffiti removal kits to county council, local authorities, residents associations, schools. For further information, go to www.safegraffitiremoval.ie

Further to numerous representations by me over the past four years and more recently in relation to a revised road widening scheme for above I now wish to advise Council are currently re examing the proposal.  In the earlier scheme (for which we received Part 8 planning) there were cycle tracks throughout.  The redesigned scheme will reduce or eliminating these cycle tracks.  The amount of Compulsary Purchase Orders and therefore the cost of the proposal will  be reduced given the current economic climate.

• It is intended to develop the section between Maryborough Hill and Mount Oval. 
• Construction would take approx 2/3 years depending on finance and other matters.
• Traffic Study of Douglas/Rochestown will commence shortly.
• Development plans for lower Clarke’s Hill will be postponed pending results of Study
• Council hope to publish Part 8 for revised scheme in early Summer 2009.
• When Part 8 is adopted Council  will improve facilities for the bus in the area.
• There is a Department of Transport grant of 100,000 towards the proposal for 2009

However, I have to advise that within the past two weeks Council was informed that it is not allowed to embark on any new non national road projects until a review by the Government of its existing financial commitments is completed, having regard to the current difficult economic situation.  This embargo even applies to projects which have already been approved for funding such as the 400,000 traffic calming scheme on the Rochestown Road, the proposed western relief road for Carrigaline and the Green Routes serving Douglas and Carrigaline. 

The fact that this proposal was first mooted in 2005 and hasn’t moved forward is highly regrettable and deeply unsatisfactory and points to inefficiencies in the system at local level..  Residential planning continued to be granted in the area. Development charges continued to be gathered.  Delayed action, coupled with the current crisis in funding, may mean that this project is once again at a snails pace. 

Be assured that I will continue to voice concerns and highlight the urgent necessity for progress on the matter.

 One third of penalty points issued given to drivers without a driving licence

 FG calls for uninsured vehicles to be impounded

 As  Gardaí  prepare a motoring crackdown for St Patrick’s Day, Fine Gael has revealed that one third of  drivers who receive penalty points for breaking the law do not have a valid driving licence, including almost every single driver stopped for having no insurance.

 According to official Road Safety Authority (RSA) figures, a staggering  188,581  of  the  total  of  608,324 current penalty points could not be  enforced.  Almost  100%  of  all  penalty  points  for  driving without  insurance  were  issued to drivers without a valid driving licence. Most worrying  of  all  is  the  fact  that a quarter of drivers who received  penalty  points  for  their  role in a fatal or serious accident did not have  a  valid licence. These shocking figures confirm that thousands of  motorists are driving around without a driving licence.

 Other  RSA  figures  reveal a clear link between unlicensed drivers and  the most serious offences, including driving without insurance and fatal  accidents. 

 Current powers are simply too weak to clamp down on the growing problem  of  unlicensed  drivers.  For  a  start, Gardaí should get new powers to  impound  uninsured  vehicles,  with  the vehicles only being returned on proof of insurance.

 Fine Gael will also put down amendments to the Road Traffic & Transport  Bill  when  it  comes  before  the  Dáil in a few weeks’ time. We cannot  tolerate  a  situation where a third of all penalty points are literally  not  worth the paper they are written on, because the driving licence in question does not even exist.