ken glynn – Ashefield

Reinstating the green area at the entrance to Ashefield

At the March meeting of the Westmeath County Council Mullingar Area Committee, Cllr. Ken Glynn proposed a motion that Westmeath County Council immediately take steps to have the broadband company reinstate the green area at the entrance to Ashefield Estate to its original condition and that works are carried out to rectify this matter to the satisfaction of all local residents.

Westmeath County Council replied that they received a cash bond from the broadband installers and that this bond will not be refunded until all works are satisfactorily completed.

Council response to a question regarding Ashefield entrance safety concerns

Cllr. Ken Glynn asked Westmeath County Council about progress made regarding safety concerns at the pedestrian crossing near the entrance to Ashefield on Ashe Road. Cllr. Glynn had asked the Council’s Road Safety Officer to visit this location and assess the issue. Westmeath County Council’s Road Safety Officer replied that they had reviewed this pedestrian crossing:

The crossing is located on Ashe Road between the Ashefield roundabout and the entrance to Tesco. This road has high traffic volumes generated by the location of primary schools, residential areas and the Tesco Shopping Centre. The crossing area is positioned 5 metres off the roundabout. All relevant warning signage is provided. Both approaches to the crossing along the Ashe Road have good forward visibility. For traffic emerging from Ashefield Estate, the crossing has been found to be positioned at the optimum location for both motorists and pedestrians. The current position of the crossing allows a motorist full visibility of the crossing and of both waiting areas on the footpath, from the yield line emerging from Ashefield Estate. By moving it further from the roundabout, motorists would be unable to view pedestrians if they are on the nearside footpath and attempting to cross. The road markings at the crossing are slightly worn and it is proposed that these markings be improved next year. The Council will continue to monitor the safety of this crossing.

Further information is available on Cllr. Glynn’s blog

Letter from Robert Troy T.D. regarding council responses to Ashefield-related queries

The following letter from Robert Troy T.D., dated 8th May 2011, was delivered to all houses in Ashefield and addresses a number of issues raised at the recent Residents Association AGM:

Dear Resident,

I am writing to you further to my attendance at your recent residents association AGM. Following this meeting I requested my two colleague’s Cllr. Bill Collentine and Cllr. Ken Glynn to raise the issues of concern to the residents at the next Mullingar Town Council meeting. Please see on reverse of this letter a comprehensive list of questions they asked and the replies given. We will continue to pursue these issues on your behalf.

I am enclosing a card with all our contact details for your information. Please do not hesitate in contacting any of us should you feel we can be of any assistance to you, your family or friends in the future.

Best wishes,

Robert Troy T.D.

Cllr. Glynn:             That Westmeath County Council would maintain the green area at the entrance to Ashefield estate, similiar to the green strip across the road.

Reply: This is a matter for the Ashefield Residents Association.

Cllr. Collentine:              Can Westmeath County Council advise what responsibility it has to ensure that the communal areas of the apartment block in Ashefield are maintained in good order, in the absence of a management company?

Reply: It is a matter for the residents of the Ashefield apartments to make arrangements for the upkeep of any communal areas.

Cllr. Collentine:              Can Westmeath County Council advise that assistance it can provide to the residents of Ashefield under the National Spring Clean competition towards the removal of graffiti?

Reply:   Graffiti removal would not be covered by the National Spring Clean campaign. Westmeath County Council is currently awaiting details of the 2011 Anti Litter and Anti Graffiti Grants Scheme from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. When details are received, an application form will be forwarded to Ashefield Residents Association.

Cllr. Collentine:             Can Westmeath County Council advise it it has a schedule in place for the roadsweeper to come into the Ashefield estate and if possible to ensure that laneways are swept out as well?

Reply: This estate is included in the road sweeping schedule and is swept once every three months.

Cllr. Glynn:             To ask Westmeath County Council to provide a litter bin at the entrance to Ashefield.

Reply: There is a litter bin at the entrance to the Ashefield. Mullingar Area Office will examine locating another bin at the entrance to TESCO. However, stopping the bin collection vehicle in this area is problematic from a safety view point.

Cllr. Glynn:              To ask Westmeath County Council if it will carry out extensive remedial works on the green area between Ashefield and Abbeylands.

Reply: Mullingar Area Office plans to cut the grass in this large open space this year with a heavy duty mower so that it can be maintained by the residents association. Mullingar Area Office also intends to commence a multi-annual programme of landscaping works along the Western By-Pass R394 this year. This section of the R394 will be included in the programme