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Irish Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wexford County Council agrees to meet public to discuss controversial safe routes to school schemes
In addition, the works will lead to the widening of footpaths, narrowing of roads, and tightening of junctions in the two villages. However, those living in The Ballagh and Kiltealy have voiced their discontent regarding the schemes with many accusing the organisation behind The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiative (An Taisce) of not engaging with the public prior to finalising its plans. In the Ballagh, a public meeting saw 64 per cent of those in attendance reject the proposed scheme in their village, while in Kiltealy there have been 92 submissions made by members of the public raising concerns about the layout of the scheme and how it will affect residents. With the council under increasing pressure to liaise with the public, director or roads Eamonn Hore has announced that two information evenings will be arranged in the villages between August 5-15. In a letter issued to all relevant stakeholders, Mr Hore said that 'following these meetings a decision will be made to proceed with the Safe Routes to School plans or not to proceed with the plans. Wexford County Council would like to see all representatives of the village who have an interest in Safe Routes to Schools, including parents, residents and business owners attend at these meetings. We all aim to keep the children safe.' Mr Hore also drew attention to the fact that the delivery plan and audits for the schemes were presented to each school's board of management on February 19 (Ballaghkeene) and March 4 (Kiltealy) and that the latter also included a walkability audit carried out in the village with students and the Green Schools Travel Officer. The decision to meet with the public comes after local councillors chose to go 'in committee' to discuss the schemes at two district meetings last week. On Tuesday morning last, at the July meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD), cathaoirleach Councillor Barbara Anne Murphy proposed that the media be asked to leave so that councillors could discuss the Kiltealy safe routes scheme privately. Cllr Jackser Owens objected to this proposal and the matter was put to a vote with Cllrs Aidan Browne, Pat Kehoe, and Trish Byrne voting to go in committee, and Cllr Owens, and John O'Rourke voting to hold the discussion with members of the media present. As a result the subsequent discussion was held privately. Later that day, at the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) councillors held a private meeting with members of the community from The Ballagh prior to their public meeting. The media was not invited to attend the private meeting. However, at the county council meeting a day prior, some discussion on the schemes took place under the full glare of the assembled press. ADVERTISEMENT Councillor Paddy Kavanagh was the first to raise the topic, contending that neither he, nor the people he represents, had been consulted regarding the Ballaghkeene scheme. 'I have no objection to the SRTS, it's a fabulous initiative, it's putting in ramps and safety features into villages where it's long overdue,' he said. 'This is something which would have constantly been raised about The Ballagh in the past. But if An Taisce is coming to a village to alter that village permanently, it should consult with those living locally. 'Its engineers met with the school, the principal, the parish priest, the parents association, and the board of management; they also consulted with some of the businesses which were directly affected, and those people were of the opinion that these engineers were going to come back to them. But they never came back. "On the day we voted on this at our last district meeting in Gorey, there wasn't even a map for the elected representatives to consult. It would have been so much easier for those engineers if they'd had a public meeting with the people of the parish who are going to be affected by these works for years and years to come. 'I am not for or against this, but I would like to see some safety measures going in for the schoolchildren and to slow the traffic going through the village. But the local people have to have their say.' Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy meanwhile, believed a public information event was the only way to counteract a lot of what she described as 'misinformation and disinformation' which had been circulated in Kiltealy. 'People need to know what's actually proposed and what the options are and the difference it would make to the village,' she said. 'There's an organised 'no' campaign in Kiltealy which is difficult to overcome. People feel intimidated by it.' While events later in the week would suggest Mr Hore agreed that there was a need for a public information event, he remained of the opinion that the relevant bodies had received due warning of the proposed plans. 'On April 9 an email was sent to the councillors with all the relevant documentation, including every single plan, the drawings, all the proposed works, and the locations of the pedestrian crossings,' he said. 'On June 16 there was a meeting with the post office, the local shop, and the landowners, and on June 17 there was a report made to the GKMD with the active travel team in attendance.' Insisting he had not received any detailed maps in April, Cllr Kavanagh felt that an effort had been to made to slip the scheme by unnoticed. 'Any maps I have seen since (at the local meetings) were all on A4 sheets, something major like this should be put on the wall in a hall, and be big enough for people to see it properly,' he said. 'It seems like An Taisce was trying to keep the plans closely under wraps and have it on view for a minute amount of time. That's a sad indictment of the way the councillors have been used.'
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Public invited to share their views on Wexford's water quality at community information meetings
The first of these will be held in Clonroche Community Hall on June 17 at 7 p.m. with the second in Craanford Community Hall on June 26 at 7 p.m. The community information meetings are being held to to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community, including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors. Along with LAWPRO and Wexford County Council's Climate Action and Environment Section other key agencies involved in protecting and restoring the quality of our natural waters are being invited to participate so there will be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members from these agencies. LAWPRO working on behalf of Ireland's 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water, under the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality called Priority Areas for Action (PAA) to support targeted water quality improvements with other stakeholders. Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said, 'As we continue our work in the Slaney catchment area and begin implementation of the new Water Action Plan we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what's happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Wexford because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.' Commenting on the upcoming meetings, Eamonn Hore, Director of Services with Wexford County Council said, "Clean and healthy water is vital for our environment, our communities, and our future. These public meetings are a great opportunity for people to learn more about the collaborative work underway to protect and restore water quality across Wexford. We encourage everyone; residents, farmers, business owners, and community groups to attend and have their voices heard.'
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Wexford motorists can expect ‘delays and disruption' as investigative works are carried out on New Ross bridge
Motorists in New Ross can expect significant delays and disruptions when using O'Hanrahan Bridge next month as investigative works are carried out in advance of a larger project next year. Beginning in late June, there will be diversions in place on the bridge for four weeks while Wexford County Council (WCC) engineers begin preparing for rehabilitative works which will lead to a three-metre walkway being installed. 'This is good news but it'll cause great disruption,' said director of services for the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Eamonn Hore. 'Investigations will be carried out for the extension works which will see a three metre walkway installed on the Dunbrody side of the bridge, there will be significant traffic delays and disruptions." Explaining that the works had been timed to coincide with the end of the Leaving Cert so that no students will be impaired by the delays, Mr Hore said the full works on the bridge would start in 2026 and, once complete, would see the new walkway aligned with the greenway and active travel scheme in New Ross.
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
New sign supports New Ross' rich heritage
On May 7, the New Ross Municipal District unveiled the sign which is preserving the town's rich heritage while also supporting its Destination Town status. The unveiling was attended by New Ross Municipal District council members, Deputy Chief Executive Eamonn Hore and District Manager, Alan Fitzhenry. Mr Fitzhenry said: 'Following on from the restoration and planting of the old New Ross Town Crest Sign at the Rosbercon side of the bridge last year, we have now repaired and restored the second sign that originally sat on the town side of the bridge. 'This has been fitted at the Oaklands Roundabout and planting around the sign is to follow in the coming weeks. It's great to see this piece of New Ross history back in public view and we think it makes for a warm welcome to town from the Wexford side. Thank you to our own district workers, Gatecraft and S. Doyle Painting for their lovely work on this project.' The restoration of the sign reflects the town's commitment to honouring its past while looking forward to the future. The refurbished sign stands as a proud welcome to residents and visitors alike, symbolising New Ross's timeless charm and forward-looking vision.
