Dublin Bus
Gareth Quinn and Ray Coyne  from Dublin Bus attended the meeting,  the primary purpose was to discuss the forthcoming changes to the Dublin Bus  network.  

Maynooth it is proposed to extend the bus service to Moyglare Hall,  the location of the terminus was discussed.  The traffic ramps on the Moyglare Road at the Boys National School will be removed and replaced with bus friendly traffic calming.
It is also proposed to route the 66 in through Meadowbrook/Beaufield difficulties at Parson Street were pointed out,  it was agreed the Dublin Bus officials would meet the committee next week on site to look at alternatives. 
67 & 67A  It is proposed to amalgamate the 67 and the 67A,   the service will terminate at Moyglare Road, Maynooth.   I questioned if this would result in a less reliable service,  particularly at peak times for Celbridge passengers,  I was assured there would be no deterioration in the Celbridge Service.  
I sought the extension of the service into the Clane Road area,   this is not expected to occur in the short term.  
Easton Road, Leixlip.   Dublin Bus intend to re-route the 66 in through Easton Road,  there are a number of difficulties with the road network that will delay this.  The Council are working with Dublin Bus to overcome these.    In the meantime it is proposed to put on three 66x services,  Morning and Evening until the other road issues are resolved.    
Connect Leixlip & Celbridge:   I questioned if they had considered a bus connection between Leixlip and Celbridge,   I was told they had but had decided against it.   
The National Transportation Authority are to be invited to a future meeting in order to discuss the lack of corresponding funding for road modificantions in line with changes to the bus network.  
Kilcock Services to go:   Members of the Clane electoral area also  attended the meeting.  Dublin Bus intend to remove all services to and from  Kilcock.    We were told this is because of the  low level of take up for the services,  however,  myself and others argued that the terminus and the times of the buses should be modified to suit commuters instead of removing this important service.    The National Transportation Authority are to be contacted and told the service should stay and be augmented.  
 

 
Maynooth Road Celbridge – Crodaun & Castle Village
I tabled the following item for discussion following ongoing complaints from residents of the Estates in question.  
In view of the difficulty for residents getting in and out of estates on the Maynooth Road, namely Crodaun Forest Park and Castle Village, we seek from the Road Design Department a remedy that is cost effective and can be implemented in the short term.
 Report: The Chief Technician will meet Cllr. Murphy on site with a view to preparing a  design.  However, no works can commence in the absence of adequate funding being  identified.
 
Pedestrian difficulties at Castletown – Green Lane Junction.  
We ask that the road as currently designed at the Green Lane entrance to Castletown Estate, Leixlip is amended to reflect the large number of pedestrians who use the route on a daily basis.
Report: The Chief Technician will meet Cllr. Murphy on site with a view to preparing a  design.  However, no works can commence in the absence of adequate funding being  identified.
 
Junior Wardens seek changes at Boys National School Maynooth
Following contact from the junior wardens at the Boys National School in Maynooth,  I tabled the following motion and received the report below. 
 
We consider how the changes can be made to the road conditions outside the boys national school, Moyglare Road, Maynooth in line with those sought by the school and its junior wardens.  They can be summarised as follows; proper road signage and road markings and flashing zebra crossing lights to warn oncoming motorists.
Report: The crossing referred to by the Junior Road Safety Officers in their  correspondence is an unsignalised crossing which uses the existing traffic ramp as a  crossing point.  School warning signage is in situ at this location and these signs are  in the process of being upgraded.
As previously advised, the traffic ramps are being removed to be replaced with more  appropriate traffic management measures to facilitate the use of Moyglare Road by  Dublin Bus for their extended services.  The area along the Moyglare Road at the two  schools is being examined as part of the Kilcock Road Part 8 Public Consultation  Scheme and the correspondence referred to in the motion is being considered as part  of the proposals for this scheme which will be discussed at the September meeting.

Underground ESB Cables - Celbridge
I seconded a proposal made by Cllr Griffin  that the ESB are to be asked to underground the overhead cables in Celbridge.     The committee were told that the cost of undergrounding  is significant the  ESB are likely to seek matching funding from  this Council.  Unfortunately, due to current financial constraints it is not possible to  provide such funding for this project.  I pointed out that as part of the urban renewal scheme in Celbridge,  ducting was provided and this may count as the Council’s contribution.   A report is to issue to a future meeting following contact with the ESB
 

Malfunction of Petrol interceptors – Coneyboro
I was contacted by residents from the Coneyboro Area of Leixlip/Celbridge in relaiton to ongoing problems with the petrol interceptors.   I pointed out that the report below was incorrect and the problem persists. 
What is the cause of the malfunction on the petrol interceptors on Newbridge, Coneyboro, what will it take to overcome the problem?
Report: This interceptor was cleaned and overhauled approximately four months ago  and is now functioning properly.

Was "Bond"  repaid to Abbey Farm developer - estate not yet in charge
I asked the following question following discussions with members of the Residents Association.   I have left the item on the agenda and expect to get a more complete reply at the September meeting.
Why was a large portion of the bond returned to the developer of an estate (details supplied) in advance of the estate being taken in charge, who made the decision to return it and what was the basis for that decision?
Report: Having reviewed the Building Control file and the available planning files for Abbey Farm estate it would appear that the Building and Development Control Section made a recommendation that a significant portion of the bond be refunded, retaining £10,000 and appropriate interest "to cover any problems on un-surveyed sewers and underground services" in Dec 1997. At the time the estate was complete and all surfacing works had been completed satisfactorily.
However, based on the review of the Building Control file and the available planning files there is no documentation to indicate if this recommendation of a refund of the bond was actually carried out.
Building Control Section has requested Finance Section to check their records to establish how much of the bond provided is still available.
Any surface defects that have appeared since are mainly due to wear and tear and the lack of maintenance of the estate in the intervening years.
A recent CCTV survey of the foul sewerage system, commissioned by the Building Control Section, indicates that the foul sewerage system is working properly and that there is no evidence of any significant defects.
It is now proposed to take the estate in charge if requested to do so by the residents in accordance with the provisions of Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and expend any available bonds on addressing the surface defects identified in the snag list prepared by Building and Development Control Section. 
 

Work on New Electoral Register
Fieldwork is expected to commence shortly on the 2011/12 Electoral Register.   Particular emphasis will be paid to Leixlip as the area did not benefit from the major review prior to the 2007 General Election.   The committee was told it is up to each individual to check the register which can be done online at http://ereg.kildarecoco.ie/

Donaghcumper Cemetery to be extended
The committee received  proposals for the extension of Donaghcumper Cemetery.   Negotiations to acquire the land are at an advanced stage while all associated design work is currently being prioritised.   Given the immediate requirement to provide additional grave spaces as well as the tight time-frames involved the Council have  initiated the Part 8 process. (Basically this process allows the Council to give itself planning permission).   The council have already received a favourable report relating to ground suitablity and given the proximity to the medieval Church a qualified Archaeologist will be engated.    
 
Castledillon -  €52,000 earmarked for Road Works – this will be carried out Aug/Sept
I also asked  what are the council’s plans for the River Liffey at Castledillon.
Report: At the moment, Kildare County Council has no immediate plans for any  works  on the River Liffey, apart from the advancement of the Liffey CFRAMS project  (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study), which will define  requirements for flood management within the entirety of the Liffey catchment.
In general terms, the cleaning of major drainage channels, such as the River Liffey,  requires serious consideration to be given to environmental constraints associated  with such work, such as the requirements of the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board  and the Parks and Wildlife Service.  The level of constraint in place due to the  requirements of these, and other, agencies is such that cleaning water courses, by  dredging, is no longer possible and the Liffey CFRAMS project will take this into  account when formulating recommendations for the Liffey.
This aside however, the Water Services Section have agreed to meet the relevant  landowner on site and to discuss the above with this landowner.

Ralph Square not in Charge despite KCC parking restrictions there!  
I received the following reply,  the Council are to check with land registry and respond further at the  September meeting.  
According to the Transportation Department’s records, works were carried out in Ralph Square by Kildare County Council as part of the Leixlip Town Improvement Works, in the late 90s.  The improvement works consisted of road restoration and street improvements and were necessary following the opening of the M4 and the by-pass of Leixlip.  I can only presume that it was deemed appropriate to include Ralph Square, as an integral part of Leixlip, in these works, even though it was, and still is, not in the charge of Kildare County Council. 
It should be noted that the Area Office has not carried out any works in Ralph Square.
 
Road safety measures at Colaiste Chiarain, Leixlip
The Council are to prepare a design for road improvements at Colaiste Chiarian,  I have asked that the road between Elton Court and Galvins Cross is the subject of the design.   We were also told that in the absence of adequate funding being identified the implemention of any designs cannot take place.
 
 
Traffic Management -  Kilcock Road €1m project
The Committee were presented with proposals for the Kilcock Road in Maynooth,   The project which is being supported by the National Transporation Authority is expected to cost €1m.   Significant difficulties were identified with the project.   The first bus lane in Kildare is intended to be located there despite the National Transportation Agencies approval to Dublin Bus to withdraw the serivce.   A further report will be provided at the September meeting.