LORRIES IN CRANMORE

COUNCILLOR Declan Bree told last week’s monthly meeting of Sligo County Council that he is ‘very concerned’ by ‘ the democratic decision of the council not being implemented’ in relation to the introduction of bye-laws to prohibit Heavy Goods Vehicles from the using the road network through the Cranmore housing estate, Martin Savage Terrace and Doorly Park (pictured) housing estates and Cleveragh Drive.

Cllr. Bree told the meeting: “At our meeting last July the council voted in favour of a motion which I had submitted, that draft bye-laws be prepared so as to prohibit Heavy Goods Vehicles from using the aforementioned road network, with a permit system to be included to allow HGVs make local deliveries.

“I tabled the motion because residents in the area are seeking the introduction of bye-laws to ban HGVs from the area.

“With the exception of the business parks in Cleveragh, the area in question is largely residential. Residents are seeking the ban because of issues relating to pedestrian safety along with concerns relating to infrastructural damage, pollution and noise emissions.

“The residents are also anxious to have the HGV bye-laws in place in advance of the new bridge being built. Residents understand that if a ban is introduced, regulations can be implemented making exceptions for lorries making delivers in the area.

“I also understand that the draft by-laws would have to go out for public consultation before any final decision would be made by this council. I believe this is reasonable so as to allow all sectors of the community to have an input in the process.

“Given that six months have passed since the council asked that the draft bye-laws be prepared, residents are now anxious to know and I am anxious to know when it is expected that the draft by-laws will be brought before the council for consideration.”

Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services at Sligo County Council said: “The Executive had expressed the view that it was not known what impact the bridge or approach roads would have and that it might be premature to seek to deal with consequences that are not known. However, a commitment was given to examine the matter though it was also stated that we are not aware of any such bans on HGVs through similar urban areas in Ireland except for prohibitions on HGVs in heavily trafficked city centres such as Dublin and also possible proposals for Cork City.

“There is an allocation of €250,000 for the Eastern Garavogue Bridge Scheme in 2020 DTTAS Roads Grants as notified to the council last week. This allocation will allow us to finalise design issues and prepare tender documents for the construction phase, subject to approval from the DTTAS and SHPLG. The design process will also consider the issue of traffic impact on the southern approach roads and suitable traffic calming measures, facilities for pedestrians, vulnerable road users etc.

“We are hoping to schedule a meeting with both departments over the next few weeks to seek to establish a timeframe for progressing the scheme to construction that will satisfy both departments and their expected funding profiles for the scheme.

“It is estimated that the scheme will take two years to construct. The earliest possible opportunity for the scheme to go to construction, subject to approval of both funding departments would likely be in Q1/Q2 2021 and a possible completion date of mid 2023.

“As other capital schemes around the city are completed in 2020 and subject to an agreed timeframe to progress the scheme, we will be putting a team of staff in place for all elements of the Eastern Garavogue Bridge and Approach Roads Scheme. The issue of any appropriate draft bye-laws will be include in the team’s work programme.”

Cllr. Bree, however, was less than satisfied with this response.

“A number of residents who have been in contact with me are of the opinion that some council officials do not want a ban on heavy good vehicles in the area.

“I explained to them that it was a matter for the elected councillors to decide on and not the officials.

“I pointed out that six months ago the elected council had made a decision that draft bye-laws be prepared and that the executive was legally obliged to implement the decision of the council. However, I am now very concerned. I find it shocking that the democratic decision of the council has not been implemented. It is unacceptable. I am now asking that the draft bye-laws be prepared without further delay.”

Ciaran Hayes, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council responded: “I reject the statements of Cllr. Bree. The decision made by the council will be followed through by the executive. Cllr. Bree seems to infer that the executive is not implementing the council decision. That is not the case.

“The executive is obliged to do so in the appropriate manner. The executive is obliged that in presenting draft bye-laws that we will have the necessary consultation, background work, research and preparatory work done in advance.

“The director has outlined the process by which we will be engaging in that. The fact that we will be engaging with both departments, and the fact that we have funding allocated in order to do the necessary preparatory work.

“The decision of the council is quite clear. The decision, regardless of what residents may or may not speculate on, the position of the executive will be to implement the decision of the council and we will do so in the most professional manner.”

Tom Kilfeather added: “It’s disappointing that, to suggest that the executive are showing a lack of respect to a decision made by the council, I refute that. There was no timeframe put on us.

“There is no division here between the executive and the council in relation to the matter.”

Cllr Bree responded: “When I proposed this motion in July, I never referred to or mentioned the bridge. I did mention it today. Whether the bridge goes ahead or not or whether it’s going to be constructed in the next year or next five years, the residents of the Lower East Ward are anxious to see bye-laws introduced to ban HGVs.”

Tom Kilfeather said: “I take Cllr. Bree’s point, the bridge can be separated from this.”