Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Maintenance of Crossmaglen estates raised at multi-agency meeting

Published: 26 June, 2009

Crossmaglen Sinn Féin councillor Terry Hearty has said that he was pleased with a recent multi-agency meeting in Crossmaglen as it was a chance to raise numerous issues regarding the maintenance of a number of housing estates in the town.

The meeting between Slieve Gullion Councillors, Road Service, Housing Executive and Council Officials was held at the request of Cllr Terry Hearty who had asked that a DEA (District Electoral Area) meeting be used to do a tour of a number of Housing Estates to look at the standard of maintenance being carried out by these Agencies.

Commenting on the meeting Cllr Hearty said,

"The tour began in Lismore where I pointed out to Roads Service that the weeds in the estate must get sprayed much earlier, as it is growing along roadside kerbs, footpaths and alleyways.

"I also explained that some of the footpaths were in very poor condition and that the perimeter fence, which has timbers missing needs to be mended and painted.

"The relevant agencies then agreed to put in a concrete base and put a fence around the recycling bins in order to protect them.

"The tour then went to Ard Ross where similar issues were raised. We also met with a number of residents who raised concerns that cars were being driven onto the green beside the play area. We asked the Council to resolve this issue by blocking access for cars onto the green. While it is sad that we have to go to these extremes to protect children in a play area but I am glad that we have gone some way to addressing the issue. We also asked Road Service to put in low kerbs for wheelchair access at a number of different locations and also stressed to the Housing Executive our disappointment at their failure to replace the windows in a number of houses which still have the original windows which are in a poor state and which should have been replaced a number of years ago.

The Crossmaglen councillor also stressed to Roads Service that a number of years ago he met with them and asked to have the back of the houses facing onto the Carron Road re-tarred as that area is in a very bad state and all loose chippings, they have now agreed to involve this in the next scheme.

The delegation then visited Rathview Park where there were again similar maintenance problems highlighted such as the front area facing out onto the

Blayney Road

which badly needs to be resurfaced.

"We also asked for the Summer Seats to be replaced and also play equipment that had been removed and more litter bins to be placed round the play area.

"We met with Road Service Officials at the junction of the Culloville road entering onto the square where they agreed to improve road signage and road markings. We also had a representative from the Fire Service to brief Officials on road traffic accidents at the junction.

"We then went to Culloville where we met with the Residents Group where a number of maintenance issues arose again. All of the Agencies spoke of the great flower display the residents had along the Culloville road and along the Concession road. The residents group takes great pride in their area and the Agencies agreed to the maintenance that needed to be carried out.

"We then travelled to the junction of the

Lough Ross Road

onto the

Blayney Road

where Road Service Officials saw the dangers for residents entering onto the

Blayney Road

. I asked them to consider a scheme where this very dangerous junction could be improved.

"We then went to Anamar School where I asked for signs and road markings to be improved so that strangers were made aware of the School. We also heard from the Principal, Anna Shields, about the danger for children entering and exiting the School. Ms Shields also raised with Roads Service, the need to have the ground around the School salted in icy weather. We were given assurances that on the signage and road markings but unfortunately they could not assure us that it would be salted.

Cllr Hearty concluded by stating that he will be asking all of the Agencies visit a number of other Housing Estates and villages as he finds the meetings very useful when all of the Agencies are together.

"Once again we stressed to the Agencies the importance of having our areas properly maintained. I would also call on anyone who feels that there is any issues that they feel need to be addressed to contact the Sinn Féin office in Crossmaglen or Newry