Bog-based roads in Offaly shrinking due to dry weather

"THERE has been a lot of shrinkage in some roads, such as at Ballina Cross, due to the recent dry weather," Offaly County Council's Tullamore Area Engineer, Joe Dooley has revealed.

Giving a run-down on the roads programme at the monthly meeting of Tullamore Municipal District last week, Mr Dooley said road works were postponed in the area until after the Ploughing this week.

But the exception was the bridge on the county bounds in Killoughey, he said, where work had started due to the volume of traffic which will use it during the Ploughing.

Cllr Neil Feihgery said roads with peat foundations had been seriously undermined and he called for extra funding from central Government.

The Killoughey based Fine Gael man said Offaly fared worse in this regard than other counties due to the large tracts of bogs.

"The road from Ross to Screegan and the road to Boora are in a very bad condition," he revealed.

"This has to be highlighted at national level. We are getting the same allocation for roads but we have an disproportionate amount with peat foundations."

Cllr Feighery stressed that signs needed to be put up on the bridge at Ross road as it was in a very dangerous condition.

He acknowledged great work had been down on the ground by council staff particularly on the LIS (Local Improvement Scheme).

Sinn Fein's Cllr Aoife Masterson said she was delighted Cllr Feighery had joined her in asking for more funding for bog roads.

"I've been asking for this for the past two years," she pointed out.

She called for an update for works on Spollenstown bridge and on pedestrian lighting at Clonminch. Cllr Masterson also enquired about progress on an Active Travel plan for Clonminch and a pedestrian crossing for Charleville Road.

She pointed to an increase in traffic volumes in Rahan due to the expansion of Shamrocks and said it had to be made safer with work also needed at College View. Cllr Masterson also called for traffic calming measures in Chancery and near Clara Town FC's pitches in Clara.

She also sought an update on plans for car parking at the national schools in Arden View.

The need for bus shelters in Mucklagh was highlighted by Cllr Ollie Bryant who also called for digital lights to slow traffic at Killurin and Blueball.

Cllr Bryant also revealed Cappincur Community Alert is planning to place a defibrillator at Digby car park and needed a power supply.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Shane Murray highlighted the need for car parking at the Gaeilscoil and called for fresh signage at Newton bridge.

Joe Dooley said works on the by-pass surface had been completed and the council was seeking further funding for more work there.

He said works at Clara bridge had also finished apart from the relocation of two ESB poles at the top of O'Molloy St and Fox's shop.

Mr Dooley revealed six bus stops had been installed on the Arden Road and a further 18 are to be put in place.

Replying to Cllr Masterson he said it was very difficult to make progress on Spollenstown bridge as there was a large number of bodies involved.

He said surveys had been completed in the summer on traffic in the Clonminch, Charleville and Daingean Road areas.

Responding to Cllr Bryant, he said digital lights had been ordered and "Killurin was first on the list."

Mr Dooley said work at the Kilcruttin junction in Tullamore was completed at the end of August while works at Patrick St had been postponed.

Works will also take place at the national schools near the railway station.

Mr Dooley said low cost safety and drainage schemes will commence after the Ploughing.