Update on Local Roads’ Programme

Resurfacing in Pinecroft, Montpellier Road

Many irate residents have contacted me in relation to the delay in carrying out resurfacing works in Pinecroft, and Montpellier Road.  I want to assure them that both the Eng and I have had many discussions in relation to the matter.  Unfortunately the selected tenderer had to opt out due to difficulties at their end.  I print below the Engineer’s update and wish to assure residents that every effort will be made to try and have the work done as soon as humanly possible. 

Cllr Forde,

N25 Bandon/Sarsfield Interchanges Upgrade Progress Update

Below is the content of a correspondence I received regarding the work on the N25Bandon/Sarsfield Interchanges Upgrade. If anyone has any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

A 60km per hour speed limit is now in place throughout the works area. Motorists are asked to drive appropriately in view of the new speed limit taking account of the safety of other motorists, pedestrians and workers on the Scheme.

Bus Shelters or lack of them

Update: Just received a reply from Minister Varadkar’s Private Sec. following my email Bus Shelters’ or lack of them and I print the response below:

Dear Ms. Forde,

 On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Mr. Leo Varadkar, T.D., I wish to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail dated 9^th August 2011 regarding bus shelters/ bus standing areas. 

I have forwarded your e-mail to the office of Mr. Gerry Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority for his attention and direct reply to you.  However, if you don’t hear from him within 10 working days please let me know.

Rochestown Road Traffic Update

The pressure and volume of traffic on the Rochestown Road has been a cause of much gnashing of teeth and under breath comments from parents anxious to get the kids to school and commuters coming from Passage West Carrigaline.  Many have contacted me over the years complaining with due cause about the 30 min delays in getting into Douglas to work, drop the children to schools or access into City or the East and West. 

Culvert Installation at Church Street Douglas – Update

Readers will be aware of the current works being carried out in Church Street and despite the disruption the project will significantly lessen the incidences of any potential flooding in Douglas, something many of us were all too familiar with.  Click on the link below for update.

Douglas Culvert Progress Update No. 2

Banning Smoking in Childrens’ Playgrounds.

Recently I was contacted by Chairperson of ASH Ireland Dr Brian Maurer Consultant Cardiologist who outlined why such measures would be a positive step in protecting children from the harmful effects of passive smoke inhalation.  Exposure to passive smoke (he says) has been shown to be harmful to children even in the open.  As he is eminently more qualified that I am in such matters I take his work for it.

He states that Tobacco waste and litter constitutes over 50% of our urban waste and is a serious environmental problem.  Banning smoking in childrens’ playgrounds not only removes a threat to childrens’ health, but creates a much cleaner environment for them and helps to deal with urban litter.  So its a win win.

Casual Trading on Rochestown Road

 Recently residents of Rochestown Road contacted me re the above.  Following correspondence with official I have been informed that the Rochestown road is not a designated casual trading area as per our casual trading byelaws, copy attached, so technically no casual traders should be trading on this road.    

There are exemptions to needing a casual trading licence as per the attached 2004 regulations, so depending on what the individual is selling he may not need a licence. 

This whole area of casual trading is being reviewed at present.

Bus Shelters or lack of them

Recently I wrote to Minister Leo Varadkar re the matter of delivering appropriate Bus Shelters having met up with him when he was in Cork to launch the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road upgrade.  Readers may be interested so I publish it below.

Dear Minister, 

The recent 98M project for the Sarsfield Rd and Bandon Road Interchanges is brilliant news for Cork and all the more so because of the current climate.  In addition I would like to thank your Dept for the Grant of 290,000 under the Jobs Initiative for Footpaths etc in Grange which is one of my core areas!.  That too is most welcome. 

Parkgate Frankfield Residents Association

Recently some residents contacted me on behalf of the above Estate and they had a number of issues they wished to persue.  I met with one of them and the Area Engineer recently and we ‘walked the land’  While they had a number of concerns only some of which could be addressed in the short term, I was delighted to see that there is active participation by residents to trying to respond to the needs of their community. I have contacted the Estates office to find out when the Estate will be taken in charge since council officials use this to back their arguments that nothing can be done.