Dublin Bus Network Review – new bus stops and turning circles needed.
Following the Network review Dublin Bus intends to extend or alter several routes, however, there is one problem they don’t have bus stops or turning circles in place.  I proposed that we meet with Officials from Dublin Bus within the next month to discuss this issue with them and find out how they intend to fund the changes needed. 

The routes in question are the Leixlip 66 which will now pass Intel and travel down Easton and Accommodation Roads,  however the road conditions will not allow a bus take a left turn on to Accommodation Road and there are ramps there that are unsuited for buses.  The residents there have not been consulted about the change. 
 
The 67 is intended to terminate in Maynooth via Celbridge and travel to Moyglare Road again there is ramps that are not bus friendly and there is no turning circle.  The Maynooth 66 will encounter similar turning circle problems at Beaufield.   While many of the changes are very welcome the lack of planning for the physical changes is astonishing.  

Maynooth Outer Orbital – Meath County Council to undertake design
Meath is to become the lead Authority in the delivery of the Maynooth Outer Orbital Route,  which is  in close proximity to Moyglare Hall.   The committee agreed the procedure (Section 85 of the Local Government Act 2001) that will allow for design of the route which will run through both Counties.    The concern is that design work for this necessary infrastructure will be done; however, no means of funding the work has yet been identified.   It was expressly stated in the Maynooth Local Area Plan that no residential development should proceed in advance of this road infrastructure, however Kildare County Council gave planning permission for Moyglare Hall ignoring that provision,  much to anger of the Area Councillors who drew up the plan.

Celbridge Renewal Scheme – what outstanding works remain?
There is considerable annoyance in Celbridge that the plan drawn up in the late 1990’s by Shaffrey & Associates was not fully implemented.  There is particular concern about the fact that ducting was provided in order to underground  ugly overhead cables, however that never occurred.   Maynooth and Leixlip both benefited from a once off grant when the M4 opened which allowed for the refurbishment of both Main Streets,  including under grounding most of the cables.  Because  Main Street Celbridge was not directly by-passed the town  had to rely on a lesser Urban Renewal Grant which was insufficient to do all the work specified in the Shaffrey Plan/  

I tabled the following motion:   We ask for a report on what remains to be done on the Celbridge Renewal Scheme that the outstanding items are costed and we considered if some of the work could be done on an incremental basis.  That any planning permissions given in the vicinity of Main Street would contribute towards the project.

Report:   I have asked the Roads Construction Section to estimate the cost of the outstanding works.  However, considering the extremely constrained financial environment it is highly unlikely that funds will be available to progress these types of works in the near future.  With regard to the imposition of a special levy on new planning permission granted in the vicinity of the Main Street I would suggest that this matter be considered in the context of the review of the Development Contribution Scheme.

Oldtown Mill – Take  in charge.
I asked:  What remains to be done prior to taking Oldtown Mill in charge and questioned if it could be done in increments.
Report:   I was told that Oldtown Mill cannot be taken in charge until St Raphael’s Manor is taken in charge.   I questioned  why this should be the case given that the primary outstanding issue in St Raphael’s Manor is the winding up of the Management Companies.   I am to receive a more complete report in July.

Castledawson Estate Maynooth – Taking Estate in Charge
I asked:   What remains to be done prior to taking Castledawson estate in charge.
The  Report stated:   All units are built and the sewage from this development discharge into the foul sewage pumping station at the adjacent Newtown Hall estate.  The taking in charge of Castledawson cannot be considered until the pumping station in Newtown Hall is taken in charge.  As Newtown Hall estate is unlikely to be completed and taken in charge for some time,  Building Control Section will contact the developer of Newtown hall with a view to taking in charge the pumping station in advance of the remainder of the estate.  

If the Developer agrees to transfer the pumping station to Kildare County Council this will open the way to finalise any outstanding works at Castledawson paving the way towards taking the estate in charge.  

Wonderful Barn update
At the May meeting I had tabled a motion in relation to the continuing vandalism problems at the Wonderful Barn.   It was a briefing meeting would take place in June.  That briefing was done in private session prior to the monthly meeting of the Celbridge Area Committee.  I was unhappy that it was not in public session and expressed that view at the meeting.  . 
There are ongoing discussions with interested bodies about the long term conservation and use of the Barn and the associated buildings.   Kildare County Council also received grant assistance towards some restoration work at the Barn itself.  The amount is €115,000,   this is to be used on the upper sections of the Barn itself and is a small fraction of the amount needed.   A further briefing will be done in September this time  in open session. 

Celbridge Tidy Towns – Deputation
The committee met a  three man deputation from Celbridge Tidy Towns the issues raised included compliance with and completion of the Shaffrey Plan for Celbridge.   Road sweeping in Celbridge and the need for certainty about the service.   The provision of a Boardwalk.   Problem with signage.  Little evidence of follow through on complaints about Unauthorised Developments finally the Quality of restoration work by Utilities following repairs,   the Area Engineer has been asked to be particularly vigilant that restoration is done in line with the urban renewal scheme for the town.   The Tidy Town agreed to provide a list of outstanding works.  For more the  address for the  Tidy Towns website is http://www.celbridgetidytowns.com/