Pedestrian crossing at the Church of Our Lady’s Nativity, Leixlip
The works which are costing in the region of €80,000 are a joint effort between Leixlip Town Council and Kildare County Council   The works commenced on Monday 17th May 2010 and are expected to take in the region of 3 weeks to complete.   Leixlip Town Council are contributing €30,000 an initiative which happened as a result of a  proposal from me,  the balance is coming from the discretionary funds of the Celbridge Area Councillors.

Meeting with Irish Rail Official (Myles McHugh)
An official of Irish Rail attended the area meeting among the issues he addressed were;  Parking and Litter at Confey,  Leixlip Louisa,  Maynooth & Hazelhatch Stations.   The committee were told that an expansion in parking at Maynooth is likely to occur in 2010 but there is no short term solution for the parking deficit at Confey.  That Irish Rail have a litter management plan and take their responsibility very seriously,   taking particular note of the IBAL survey.   A significant team is in place and are working towards a Railway Order that would pave the way for the electrification of the Maynooth and Kildare line to Hazelhatch, this work involves city centre connections to all suburban lines planned for about 2015.   There are no current plans to offer a direct  Docklands stop for commuters in North Kildare.  Fares to Kilcock and Sallins were raised and the duel fare structure was criticized.  Gaps in times and the possibility of timetable changes was raised,   the committee were given contact details which will allow them to suggest timetable changes.  

Street Sweeping in Celbridge
This issue is to be put on the agenda for the June meeting,  there was general dissatisfaction with the arrangements  currently in place.  

Pay Parking in Celbridge,  Leixlip and eventually Maynooth
I put forward the following question.   
What is the current position in relation to the parking contract for Celbridge, Leixlip and possibly Maynooth?
The report I received is as follows:   A new contract for enforcement and management of pay parking has been  tendered and will be finalised in one month approximately.
The primary reason I raised this matter was because parking by-laws are currently on public display for Leixlip and due to go  on display for Maynooth in the coming months.  The regime of enforcement on occasions has been excessive,   any future contract should take note of the need to be firm but also  fair.   The committee were given an undertaking that no new contract will issue in advance of a full discussion on the matter at the June meeting.  

Celbridge Road Leixlip – Road Safety
I tabled the following motion:
That Road Design conduct vehicular and pedestrian counts on Celbridge Road, Leixlip with a view to designing a road marking and traffic calming response to the problems there.
I received the following Report: Roads Design will carry out the necessary traffic and pedestrian counts at this location to determine what problems exist there. A detailed traffic/pedestrian  scheme will then be prepared and brought before the Committee. Please note that  this scheme will be subject to funding being available prior to any scheme being  implemented.
The need for road safety measures had been raised with various members of the committee by the parents committee of Colaiste Chiarain,  however it was felt there would be a value in looking at the totality of the road from Elton Court to Galvan’s Cross.

The Wonderful Barn- update
I tabled the following motion
In view of the continuing problems with people accessing and damaging the Wonderful Barn and associated buildings we arrange a meeting with interested parties with a view to deciding on a course of action.
The verbal report I received undertook that such a meeting would be arranged,   €100,000 had been received in two separate grants,   it was intended to spend this sum in the conservation of the Barn itself.   I stressed the  continuing damage to the house and outbuildings and the need for a plan of action for these buildings.  

Odour Problems in Leixlip Village
The two Vortex units installed at Old Hill to deal with the odour problems were recently decommissioned for servicing purposes,  however they were not re-commissioned.  This together with a build up of septic matter and the fact that some of the manhole covers were not permanently sealed had caused the re-emergence of the foul odour.   Work is underway to resolve the problem which should be completed in the coming weeks.    

Litter management pilot project – Maynooth
The committee were given details of the above project which if successful will be expanded to the other North Kildare Towns

Parking in Ralph Square
The original parking by-laws for Leixlip did include Ralph Square,  however,  the current draft by-laws which are on public display exclude the area.   When I enquired as to why I was told Ralph Square is not in the Council’s charge.   This was disputed by myself and others.   The Council have undertaken to clarify the matter and come back to the committee in June.  

Remount Abbey to be taken in charge in 2010. 
I had sought an update as to the dialogue between the developer and the Council in relation to Ryemont Abbey,  the information I requested related to  finalising outstanding issues and taking the estate in charge?
The report I received is as follows:   The remedial works required in this Remount Estate have been substantially completed. Building Control Section has arranged to meet with the developer next week to finalise the Taking in Charge documents. It is hoped to include this estate in the next batch of estates going on public display.

Abbey Farm – Celbridge
I sought the most  up to date position in relation to taking Abbey Farm in charge.
I received the following report:   Building/Development Control Section has written to the developer of the Abbey Farm housing estate on numerous occasions in an effort to progress the taking in charge of the estate but he has not responded to date. We have formed the view that the only realistic option is to take the estate in charge at the request of the residents. We have also been in contact with the residents association and met with them on two occasions on 19/02/10 and 14/05/10. We are due to meet again in June. Prior to our next meeting we propose to carry out a CCTV survey of the public foul sewer to ascertain if there are any defects that require attention. We have already compiled a comprehensive list of surface defects within the estate. Once the results of the CCTV are know we will be in a position to prioritise the list of works required within the estate. We are currently reviewing our planning files to establish the level and status of the bonds provided. The amount of works that can be undertaken will be dependent on the amount of funds available. It is hoped to have the estate taken in charge by the end of 2010.

It is very disappointing that the developer will not engage with the Council because of this I have asked that if future planning applications are received from this developer that they are automatically refused on the basis that he has not completed this estate.