The residents of the Ardmore Road area of Mullingar have been very active over the past number of years, and concerned about the effects of the developments on their road and in the area, which has seen the new Curraghmore NS recently opened halfway along this route.
This week, they are furious about being “ignored” by the County Council in that their detailed submissions were ignored, they say, and their stress on better safety measures are part of plans for a new walk and cycleway.
The annoyance of residents comes after the Council members agreed last week to the report by Council Chief Executive Officer, Pat Gallagher regarding the Phase 2 development for Ardmore road.
The Residents in welcoming the upgrading of the road and pathway, said their submissions for extra road safety measures and consultation did not happen. The new Holy Family School Parents’ organisation had even made a submission about more speed ramps, they pointed out, but the County Council did not even acknowledge their detailed submissions.
ARDMORE ROAD SUBMISSION
In the Ardmore Road submission, the Chairperson Ronan Casey, called for greater communication with the residents, with the parents of the Holy Family NS and its representatives before any decisions were made, particularly regarding the loss of any areas of property.
They called for a “buffer area” or bollards on the northern side of their road, and bollards or railings along the 2-metre pathway on the southern side, and deliniating the shared surfaces.
They also asked that boundary walls, fencing and native hedges be replace to ensure privacy, noise control and allow safe exit and entry. They also asked that qualified survey and a suitable landscaping layout.
Their statement continued:
“In January, many of us made submissions to the Council regarding plans for footpaths and cycleways on the Ardmore Road. We welcomed them with open arms, but in our submissions we saw the bigger picture and appealed (once again) for further road safety measures and proper consultation that would make these welcome plans a bit better.
“”We asked for consultation and engagement. We asked that the Council would walk the road and see first hand the dangers posed by the excessive, speeding traffic and inadequate infrastructure. Dangers we live with every day whilst they draw plans on their computers in accordance with whatever legislation.
They might also see how the road could be part of an amenity loop for the town. The Council never even acknowledged the submissions, nor let anyone outside of the Council bubble know they were being voted on, and last week they passed their original plans with barely a whisper from our elected representatives.
Following the meeting, the Council never saw fit to let anyone who made a submission know that they had been ignored, despite assuring the silent County Councillors there would be better communication going forward! Talk about arrogance…
Practically every submission made – including one by the PA of Holy Family NS – asked for additional speed ramps as part of increased road safety. A simple ask, but deemed not relevant to plans aimed at, er, road safety. It’s only one of any number of things deemed not relevant by the powers that be.
So, is the input of the public via public submissions a complete waste of time? A paper exercise by those who make submissions, and a box ticking exercise by those who make the decisions? Are they at all relevant anymore? Are County Councillors even relevant anymore? ”
The Co. Manager responding to the statement said that consultation and engagement outside Part 8 will take place in regard to detailed requirements with relevant landowners in advance of works. A robust surface for footpaths and cycleways is proposed, with markings where needed, and a landscaping plan will be prepared, and a survey of hedges and trees carried out.
(Similar replies by the County Manager were given to the various others who made submissions to the Council.)
