Road repairs needed

The need to repair or patch the L6576 road leading to Drumkilly NS was brought up at the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District meeting.

“Absolutely shocking,” was how Cllr Noel Connell (SF) described the road, adding that there are “big pools of water”, which leads to motorists “slamming down into a pothole”.

Cllr Philip Brady said two school buses “can’t get up and down” the road, which was also said to have “dirt” and “potholes” on it.

“It’s one that has come up a lot more,” he said, adding that the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) said it was “disappointing” that the road was not on the current three-year Road Works Programme, adding that the “big problem” is “water running from lands”.

Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) said that he is “getting the same phone calls” of complaint. While Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly (II) said the road is “in bits”.

Senior Executive Engineer, John McGahern, said the council has “no problem” patching the road. However, if it is to be added to the current programme for roads then, the councillors would have to “pick some [roads on the scheme] to drop.”

He said the problem could be solved if the department “stop giving said farmer single farm payments when they’re letting water run out on the road”.

“Fix it at that level and it will be fixed tomorrow,” he commented. Meanwhile calls were also made for a footpath leading into the Gowna village. “The road is a bit dangerous,” Cllr Philip Brady pointed out.

Mr McGahern said the Active Travel grant was “project specific” and could be possible if “the people of Gowna leave their cars at home” and walk.

“You always have the option of spending some of your own money on it,” suggested.