'Unanimous' opposition to plans for changes to town in Offaly

PUBLIC opposition to council proposals for road works and traffic changes in Daingean will likely result in planners going back to the drawing board, a local councillor has said.

Cllr Liam Quinn was speaking after a public meeting in Daingean organised by the Daingean Development Association.  Cllr Quinn said people were “unanimous” in their concern about the plan.

“The consensus is that the people don't want it to go ahead as it is in the current draft,” said Cllr Quinn.

“The majority of people, either at the meeting or who I have spoken to separately want traffic calming but don't want it to negatively impact business.

“There is only one shop left in Daingean and we want to hold on to it.”

Traffic calming measures as part of an 'Active Travel' programme are proposed through a planning process known as Part 8 of the Planning Act whereby the County Council consults with the public on its plan. Elected councillors then either say yes or no to the plan.

The plan for Daingean envisages narrowing the Edenderry road to 6.5 metres, installing a raised table at the Edenderry road/Circular road and Edenderry road/Croghan road junctions and tightening the junctions.

According to the draft plan, it is proposed to remove some on-street parking on the inside of the bend at Edenderry road/Croghan road junction “to improve road safety and to provide required sightlines at proposed new pedestrian crossings”.

New and upgraded footpaths are planned for Main Street/Edenderry road and Croghan road (L-1017-1/L-1019-1) to the Green lane junction.

The two existing pedestrian crossings on the Croghan road are also to be upgraded.

Another proposal, which would make Gaol Lane one-way eastbound to accommodate parking, would probably be acceptable, said Cllr Quinn.

The councillor (pictured below) said the installation of what is known as a “'Give Take' system on Molesworth Street Bridge needs to be explained more clearly to the public.

Under such a system, traffic coming from one direction has priority. The aim of that change is to accommodate a new greenway (existing greenway near the bridge is pictured below) pedestrian/bicycle crossing and junction improvements.

“I don't think the scheme will be agreed by councillors in its current draft as it is in the Part 8 process. The public do like the idea of Active Travel and there are good things in it, the footpath upgrades are very good,” said Cllr Quinn.

“One thing about the Part 8 is you can't cherrypick the bits you want and take out the bits you don't want. The negatives outweigh the positives in this.. having convenient access to the post office is a huge thing for people.

“I don't think the whole scheme is workable as it is. We're not against coming back to the table and looking at something that we can work with.”

Malachy Mangan, chair, Daingean Development Association, summed up the view of people as a fear that Daingean would be changed “to a drive-through town”.

Mr Mangan said there is major concern about the plan for a second footpath on the bridge which would result in it becoming what he calls a “single flow” bridge which could back up traffic in the town.

“We don't see that [change] as a requirement. People see no need for it and they see it as potentially hazardous.”

People are also especially opposed to widening the footpath at the cemetery because that will result in curtailing parking on the roadside for those who wish to visit the graveyard.

In addition, there could be problems when a funeral is taking place and the neighbouring GAA ground is unavailable for parking.

“There could be chaos,” warned Mr Mangan (pictured below).

In relation to the impact of the proposed changes at the top of the town, he added: “The plan as presented, people feel it could cause a serious reduction in the level of service Scully's can provide.”

He also said people would be in favour of speed ramps and pointed out that they are installed by Kildare County Council in villages in that county.

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan said she will be engaging with Offaly County Council and the National Transport Authority after she received expressions of concern relating to a number of works that have been proposed as part of the Daingean Active Travel Scheme.

“I have worked consistently to raise and address whatever issues are brought to me from the Daingean community and I will continue to do,” said Deputy Nolan.

“At this point I am aware of serious concerns regarding the current format of works under the Daingean Active Travel Scheme, and the impact this may have on funding allocated to the town for rejuvenation purposes. We need clarity on this as a matter of urgency.

“Additionally, I am continuing to raise the need for a review on the use of speed-ramps in Daingean with the local authority and the difficulties residents are facing in terms of access to parking for spaces both for themselves and for emergency services. These form part of a number of mobility related concerns that the community of Daingean have expressed to me and which I have brought to Offaly County Council.”

Plans and particulars of the proposed Daingean Active Travel Scheme are available for inspection or purchase during public opening hours at the offices of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, County Offaly (R35 F893) and the offices of Edenderry Municipal District, Edenderry Town Hall, O’Connell Square, Edenderry, County Offaly, (R45 K766), until February 13 next.

Submissions or observations may be submitted in writing within an envelope marked “Daingean Active Travel Scheme Part 8 Submission” to “Barry Lennon, Acting Director of Services, Transport and Active Travel, Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, County Offaly (R35 F893) before 12 noon on February 28.