95% of enhancement works in Carlow have been completed
Improvement and maintenance works around Carlow town were labelled 'very impressive'
UP to 95% of engineering works in Carlow have been completed, councillors heard at a recent meeting of the Carlow Municipal District.
Detailed information on enhancement works which have been completed and those that are ongoing was provided to councillors by senior engineer Cian Madden.
A deep clean of the town has been undertaken in preparation for the Pride of Place event, an additional handrail has been installed on Graigue bridge and roundabouts on the N80 (Dr Cullen and Deerpark) have been themed. Graffiti has been removed from Carpenters Way and the Barrow Track, while painting enhancement works are continuing on Dublin Street and a clean-up/road repairs are being carried out in Oakley Park.
Routine maintenance is being carried out on drain cleaning in high priority locations in the municipal district as required in Oakley Park, Brooklawns, Idrone Park, Governey Park, The Paddocks, John Sweeney Park, The Laurels and Ashgrove.
Maintenance is also being carried out around softscapes and green areas, along with street cleaning and dealing with litter bins. Road resurfacing tenders have been awarded. The proposal to erect murals around Carlow town was also discussed.
Fine Gael mayor Paul Doogue said that “all councillors agreed that there is plenty of work being done” on the town’s upkeep.
People Before Profit councillor Andrea Wallace said it was “fantastic to have the graffiti removed” and “tidied up” along Carpenters Way and plans for a mural were welcome.
She asked about rumours that the Liberty Tree and fountain would removed from their current location. Mr Madden responded by saying that the issue is an “ongoing saga” and that he would “not comment” in public about it. “Proceedings have been issued against us (the council)”, he added, and the local authority was defending the matter in the High Court.
Cllr Wallace highlighted that Shaws department store management were questioning the need for the pedestrianisation of Bridewell Lane, which would bring more footfall to the area, along with making it safer due to difficulties with delivery vans. She said that a trial of the pedestrianisation of the road should be undertaken.
Cllr Wallace’s remarks were backed by Fianna Fáil councillor Andrea Dalton, who said: “This would have to involve negotiations with retailers.” Cllr Wallace added: “This should be undertaken before the schools return after the summer break.”
Other councillors, including Fianna Fáil’s Fintan Phelan, Fine Gael’s Fergal Browne and mayor Paul Doogue, agreed with the need for a pedestrian trial. It was agreed that retailers would be consulted before the municipal district meets again in late September.
Independent Ireland councillor John Cassin pointed out that a mural would improve the Tullow Road area. However, he added that the road along Carpenters Way is “disintegrating again”.
Fianna Fáil’s Ken Murnane said the improvement and maintenance works carried out so far around the town are “very impressive” and encouraged Mr Madden to “keep doing what you are doing, Cian”.
