Draft Minutes of the Leixlip Area Committee Meeting

Minutes of the Leixlip Area Committee Meeting held at 2.00 p.m. on 10 February, 2005 in the Committee Room, St. Mary’s, Naas, Co. Kildare as adopted.

Members Present: Councillor C. Murphy (Chairperson), Councillors: S. Griffin, P. Kelly, J. McGinley.

Also Present: Mr. C. Talbot, (Meetings Administrator) and Mr. J. Lahart, Director of Services ------

LX1/0205 Draft Minutes of 21 January, 2005

The members requested that further detail be added to the draft minutes based on notes taken at the meeting.The meetings administrator agreed that the draft minutes would be reviewed and re- drafted for re-issue to the members.

Progress Report

Wonderful Barn, Leixlip The members requested that they be e-mailed on any updates in relation to transfer of land.

Bandstand, Maynooth Councillor McGinley and Kelly stated that the residents living close to the bandstand had requested that it be removed. Councillor Griffin suggested that the Council approach NUI, Maynooth as a possible site for relocating the bandstand. Councillor Murphy again requested that the members be presented with a copy of the submissions received by the Planning Department on this issue. The members requested that the security barrier around the site be reinstalled as it has been knocked over.

Contractual Obligations, Albany Homes – Meadowbrook Link Councillor Griffin pointed out that the developer had been requested to carry out ancillary works in lieu of development levies. The estate should not have been allowed proceed to its current stage without the ancillary works being done in tandem.

Amenity Lands, Maynooth Resolved: on the proposal of Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Griffin, that the lands have to be handed over before Area Action Plan is completed.

Leixlip Library The members requested that Joe Boland, Director of Services, Transportation & Environment attend the March Area Meeting to discuss previous commitments given to the traffic calming details at the library.

Minutes of Leixlip Area Committee Meeting held 10 February 2005 1 Reinstatement of road and footpath, Dublin Road, Maynooth from Doctor’s Lane to Leinster Park entrance Councillor McGinley stated that the report made no reference to a cycle lane, the addition of which had been agreed to in October, 2003. Councillors Griffin and Murphy enquired if the Planning Department had collected all special levies due under the old development levy scheme in this matter, and, if not, who would be following up on the arrears outstanding. Councillor Kelly pointed out that the issuing of a commencement notice usually triggers the payment of levies.

Pedestrian operated lights, Celbridge Road, Maynooth Councillor McGinley and Murphy asked how the residential development at Ballygoran was let commence without having an agreed development levy contribution in place. Councillor Murphy stated that the procedures for the collection of development levies needed auditing.

Temporary footpath, Newtown, Maynooth Councillor McGinley requested that the reply to this matter be reviewed on the grounds that the Council owns the land the path is on and that pedestrians were taking this route as a result of closure of road at Newtown Grove. If the Council was not in a position to gravel the path, then the developer of the adjacent scheme at Meadowbrook Lawns be requested to put in a footpath in lieu of levies.

Junction at Moyglare Road The members requested that Joe Boland discuss the proposed traffic management plan at the nearby schools and church.

Maynooth Parking Bye-Laws The members sought clarification of when a review of the bye-laws would take place.

Bollards at the bottom of Old Greenfield Lane, Maynooth The members requested to see Roads Department report confirming non-consensus on this matter.

Traffic management arrangements for Liffey Bridge improvement works The members requested that they be updated of any feedback from residents regarding traffic management measures.

Future Bus Service Provision, Leixlip/Maynooth area The members requested that their request from January meeting proceed; the policy matters to go before the Transportation S.P.C.

Manhole cover at new roundabout (Tesco) Councillor Griffin requested that the landscaping on the new roundabout be investigated; the volume of shrubs may be restricting motorists sight lines.

LX2/0205 Adjourned Motion – Councillor McGinley

This item was dealt with in the Progress Report.

Minutes of Leixlip Area Committee Meeting held 10 February 2005 2 LX3/0205 Traffic Calming, Captain’s Hill to Railway Station, Confey

In reply to Councillor McGinley’s motion that traffic calming measures be provided from the Main Street along Captain’s Hill to the railway station at Confey and that, in considering this, a speed limit of 30 k.p.h. be examined, the meetings administrator reported that the hill comprises a very steep gradient and also includes traffic lights. Consequently, further traffic calming measures were not warranted. The issue of the speed limit could be further considered as part of the general review. Councillor McGinley stated that he was referring to the downhill lane, not the uphill lane, as referred to in the report. Speeding traffic was most problematic at Riverdale and St. Mary’s Park.

Resolved on the proposal of Councillor Griffin, seconded by Councillor McGinley, that a pedestrian count be carried out on Captain’s Hill.

LX4/0205 Piped T.V. Loughnamona Estate, Leixlip

In reply to Councillor McGinley’s question on the outcome of the Council’s meeting with N.T.L. on the issue of Development Levy charges for piped T.V. in Loughnamona estate in Leixlip, the administrator reported that N.T.C. had now confirmed that they would not be seeking any contribution towards their costs from Kildare County Council. There may be a wayleave agreement required for the use of the ducting and this was being examined. The residents would be required to pay the standard connection fee to N.T.C., he reported.

Resolved that the report be noted.

LX5/0205 Review of operation of Alcohol Bye-Laws

The administrator stated that this item was placed on all area committee agendas in order to hear the members views on how the bye-laws were operating. Councillor Kelly stated that too much was expected of the bye-laws and that they formed just a part of the legal process of this problem area. The number of fines issued in Leixlip needs to be discussed with the Gardai in relation to the numbers issued in Celbridge or Maynooth, he added. Councillor McGinley stated that the bye-laws effectiveness was closely linked to Gardai on the beat. Councillor Griffin stated that there was a problem with public drinking in Maynooth. Carton Avenue was one spot that required constant policing. He concluded, by stating, that he knew of people who had been fined for breaching the bye-laws and who had subsequently changed their ways. Councillor Murphy agreed that far too much was expected of the bye-laws. A certain age group seemed to cause most problems in certain areas in Confey and in the park. A lack of social outlets and amenities was a contributory factor she stated.

LX6/0205 Parks/Pruning Budget 2005

The administrator stated that a budget allocation of €42,835 was available to Leixlip/Maynooth area for grass cutting projects, tree pruning and removal. €3,835 of this budget was carried over

Minutes of Leixlip Area Committee Meeting held 10 February 2005 3 from 2004. Councillor Murphy enquired if this figure was sufficient as the Leixlip area was more urbanised than other electoral areas. Councillor Kelly stated that the annual parks budget did go some way towards supporting the Tidy Towns Committee.

Resolved that a report of a breakdown of works to be carried out, including a timetable of works be prepared for the members by the Leisure Services Section.

The business of the meeting then concluded.

Minutes of Leixlip Area Committee Meeting held 10 February 2005 4