Lights to be included in Tallow Bridge works

It was confirmed to the council that substandard works carried out on Tallow Bridge would be completed this year as a part of the bridge rehabilitation scheme.

The previous works to the bridge were highlighted by Cllr John Pratt at a special meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District in which the Roadworks Programme was unanimously passed.

“The works weren’t really carried out, in my opinion, to the level that they should have been so I just want to get some reassurance that the work would be completed,” Cllr Pratt said.

Senior Engineer for Waterford City and County Council, Gabriel Hynes, confirmed that outstanding works on Tallow Bridge would be included as a part of the 2021 Bridge Rehabilitation works.

“Unfortunately a contractor who won the contract didn’t deliver and didn’t complete the works,” Mr Hynes said, addressing the previous works which were carried out in relation to the installation of a new water mains.

As a part of these works, lights are also to be installed on the bridge.

Specialists signs designed to help those with autism spectrum disorder, first mooted at a Fermoy Municipal District meeting, are to be trialled in County Cork.

Cllr William O’Leary had raised the possibility of placing the placards in playgrounds.

Pauline Moriarty, Fermoy Municipal District Officer, provided councillors with an update on progress of the proposal at the recent meeting.

The proposal had reached the full Council forum as Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan, a Carrigaline based representative, had raised the issue.

Council officials, in a statement, said that they were anxious to facilitate the proposal.

“Cork County Council recently became aware of the concept of ASD communications boards and is proposing to trial the concept in the Carrigaline MD. The matter has been referred to the Social Inclusion, Community & Rural Development SPC for consideration and discussion.

“The Council is committed to promoting social inclusion in the services that it delivers and will establish feedback in relation to the extent to which the proposed trial proves to be effective. The contention is that such communication boards would help to make playgrounds more ‘ASD friendly’ and also help to overcome language barriers, as well as encouraging imaginative play.

“Following consideration by the SPC, a recommendation will be made as to their suitability and effectiveness. It is at that stage that any wider rollout will need to be considered by each Municipal District in the context of local arrangements and the availability of funding at individual Municipal District level. “

Following the trial in Carrigaline, there will the be a review of feedback on the effectiveness of the issue.

Cllr O’Leary welcomed news of the signs being trialled and said that he hoped to see it rolled out in Fermoy MD in time.

He said that he was delighted to see progress and added that it could be moved forward rapidly as it did not require ‘big dollar funding’.

“It will no doubt be a success in Carrigaline,” he said.

All other councillors supported the news and expressed their appreciation that the council was moving forward with the plan.