Offaly town now 'getting fair slice of cake' in Government funding
EDENDERRY is now getting a “fair slice of the cake” in funding for roadworks and other council developments a local public representative has stated,
Cllr Noel Cribbin, speaking at last week's meeting of Edenderry Municipal District, said the abolition of town councils had benefited the north Offaly town when it came to funding.
Under previous local government arrangements Edenderry had just a town commission compared to town councils in Birr and Tullamore.
“Tullamore and Birr were getting the lions share of funding in the past,” claimed the Fine Gael man.
Responding to a report by Area Engineer, Mark Mahon, Cllr Cribbin said that roadworks were going on everywhere in Edenderry and the wider district.
In his comprehensive report to members, Mr Mahon provided details on the large number of road works and other developments currently underway in the district.
Municipal District Chairman, Cllr Liam Quinn hoped that a lot of the work would be completed by the summer months. He particularly welcomed works at Blundell Castle which he said had opened up the area to the public.
Independent representative Cllr John Foley said it was great news news the demolition team had moved in at the back of the old Tesco building in Edenderry.
Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick welcomed the installation of new railings along the green area in Cloneygowan which he said blended in with the area and “looked great”.
He also welcomed works on a footpath linking Portarlington cemetery to the town and developments in the Derryounce area.
In his report to members, Mr Mahon said work on St. Conleth’s Road in Edenderry commenced on January 17 last. The works include new surface water drainage, road raising and new footpaths and raised entrances to address flooding issues.
Surface water drainage and gullies works are now nearing completion and slip-form kerbs were installed on February 8, outlined the Area Engineer. Footpath and entrance works will follow, scheduled over the next four to five weeks he added.
Mr Mahon said the Blundell Park project commenced in January to install ducting and associated infrastructure to enable the removal of overhead power lines. Ducting is now completed to the south and east side of the pitch and putt club with ducting to the east side of the castle progressing.
In Edenderry, the Granary Link Street project is substantially complete and the road is now open said Mr Mahon. He added that the contractor is completing some close out activities and snagging including removal of spoil and final reinstatement in Granary Court.
Funding of €2.15 million was announced for the Edenderry Regeneration Phase 2 in January last recalled the Area Engineer.
“The demolition of the derelict buildings on the former Tesco site forms a project within the larger regeneration initiative. Demolition contractor mobilised to site on February 7 last, site set up and initial survey activities currently taking place. Large scale demolition activities have commenced with works anticipated to take 12 weeks,” said Mr Mahon.
Inner Relief Road Project contractor (Tower Civil Engineering) commenced on site in October last starting Phase 1 adjacent to Rosderra Meats, outlined Mr Mahon.
He said works to realign the R401 junction will follow and are programmed to take six months.
All 2021 Roads Programme works are now complete and the 2022 Roads Programme for Edenderry Municipal District is currently being developed. But it is awaiting confirmation of funding allocations from central Government, said Mr Mahon.