‘Business case’ for extra funds, meeting told

A strong “business case” had been made for additional resources for roads within the Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District area, a recent meeting of elected members was told.

Without saying too much on the matter, Director of Services for the area, Paddy Connaughton, expressed hope at having “good news” when local councillors next met.

He made the comments in response to a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil's Clifford Kelly to discussion the current state of roads and dainage issues arising in the region.

“Drainage is very important,” Cllr Kelly told the virtually held meeting, suggesting that all other problems tend to follow when not done right.

“It's going to be expensive to get on top of it,” he added if something wasn't done.

“If we get [drainage issues fixed] we'll save the local authority a lot of money.”

He then turned his attentions to proper planning throughout the county, describing it as “terrible” where houses were built and proper drainage not put in.

“It's very, very wrong,” stated Cllr Kelly, who was supported by fellow party colleague Aiden Fitzpatrick.

Cllr Kelly also asked the council to explore the possibility of planting new trees in the centre islands in Kingscourt.

He said there was a general agreement that bushy shrubs might impede driver's vision.

Cllr Kelly was reminded that the €787,500 in Rural Regeneration and Development Funding (RRDF) secured for the Kingscourt Town Centre would take into account landscaping and other improvements.

The funding will cover the redesign of Kingscourt's Main Street, between Market Square and the Kells Road Roundabout, to allow for increased civic space. It will also provide off-street carparking in the town, be used to addressing dereliction, and explore the potential of opening up backland areas adjacent to the town core for further development.