Leas Cathoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Niamh Smyth is in constant contact with her constituents and raises their concerns with Council Officials at every given opportunity. At a recent Municipal District meeting Councillor Smyth raised two very significant motions.
“I have received numerous phonecalls, text messages and facebook messages in relation to the dangers imposed to young children as they try to access national school daily. I have requested Cavan County Council to investigate and source funding for a pedestrian crossing on the Cavan Road that will facilitate parents and children accessing the Model School, St. Anne’s N.S, those using the walkway around the town lake, and students from Bailieborough Community School. This is a very busy and built up part of the road and students coming from Beckscourt View, Drumbannon, Lakeview and Woodview all need to cross the road at this busy junction to get to school” said the newly elected Leas Cathoirleach.
Another issue that Councillor Smyth has been constantly lobbying Cavan County Council about is the disrepair and dangerous alleyways in Drumbannon in Bailieborough. “I raised a motion with Cavan County Council following a meeting with the Engineer where we went out to Drumbannon and examined the pedestrian alleyways. They are a surface hazard for elderly people, young mothers with prams and people with disabilities. Further to my requests the council completed a survey and it was determined that it would cost €16,000 per alleyway to bring them to the high standards of safety required and I have been told that there is no funding available for this at present. However I will persist with Cavan County Council to apply for low cost safety measures to bring the alleyways to a more pedestrian friendly condition until such funding becomes available” stated Councillor Smyth.
Not alone did Councillor Smyth raise her items which were listed on the agenda she also supported other motions. “Pedestrian safety and the safety of the more vulnerable members of our community is of utmost importance. The increase in child casualties on our roads this year is incredibly worrying, after many years of seeing year-on-year decreases therefore I was happy to support a motion in relation to the urgent need for ramps and new safety measures in Tandragee housing estate. There are so many young families living in the estate and children at play on the green throughout the day. Cavan County Council have agreed to investigate funding for this much needed safety concern.
I would urge drivers and pedestrians alike to remain aware of their surrounding and use care when approaching built up areas, housing estates, schools, football pitches and any other hives of activities where young children are playing at an age where they are not fully aware of the dangers imposed to them” concluded the Leas Cathoirleach.
30th June 2015
Cllr Niamh Smyth, Adelaide, Row, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan
t: 042 966 66 66 m: 087 998 22 22 e: nsmyth@cavancoco.ie