Writes Leo McMahon
A review of the Crosshaven Framework Plan was urged by Cllr Jack White (FG) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).
He asked that the MD meet with senior management about this as soon as possible because the last plan didn’t, in his view, contain the right strategic level of detail and ambition for Crosshaven to be able to catch up to where it should be from an infrastructural point of view and to meet future challenges.
‘A fresh vision for Crosshaven is required, not just about enhancement and tinkering around the edges but about road and wastewater infrastructure, capacity of schools and the scope to facilitate further housing developments because there is a lot of unlocked potential. The same applies for tourism through better road and water access,’ he argued.
Cllr White said there were people interested in investing in housing, tourism and business projects in Crosshaven but afraid to commit due to fears of insufficient wastewater capacity and other infrastructure. On that basis, he was seeking a high level and detailed review.
Cllr. Patrick Donovan (FF) seconded the motion and an Cathaoirleach Cllr. Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) spoke in support.
In a report, MD officer Denise Kidney stated: ‘ All MDs are currently developing Town Enhancement Plans for their key towns and villages as identified in the County Development Plan. These plans will take input from all previous plans both operational and strategic. Elected members will be consulted during this process to determine priorities’.
Senior executive officer Maurice Murphy said there was currently a structural review of the council itself and planning would be a key element in this. There was now a new position of MD manager (Sharon Corcoran) who would have a direct link from the MD to senior management and all of this was positive. Cllr White’s motion was adopted.
Ballyfeard Road
Cllr White also had a motion asking the MD to write to the Director of Services for Roads to upgrade the Carrigaline-Ballyfeard road from Priority 3 to Priority 2 for winter gritting and salting.
‘It is one of the main arteries connecting Minane Bridge, Ringabella, Roberts Cove and Tracton as a whole to Priority 1 routes’, he stated.
Cllr. Una McCarthy (FG) seconded saying many councillors got calls about it. It was a dangerous bendy road in icy weather and there were lots of crashes.
Acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan replied that the Winter Services Plan outlined how routes were categorised based on road classification, traffic volume, public transport usage and importance on a national, regional or local level. The 2024-203 plan was now being utilised but consideration could be given to the request when the next winter plan was being formulated.
He added that the council was actually salting locally and seemed to be working well. Overall, it was a job overseen by the machinery yard fleet which was already at full capacity.
Cllr White asked that resurfacing of the road at Doonavanig, Tracton, as proposed for 2024, be completed. He was told it was on the list.
Congratulations was extended by Cllr White to Tracton GAA Club on winning the County Junior A Hurling championship.
On a proposal by Cllr Una McCarthy (FG), congratulations was extended by the MD to participants from all schools in the area in the BT Young Scientist and Technology competition, especially the prize winning entrants from Colaiste Muire Realt na Mara, Crosshaven.
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