Lambert Returns To The Healm At Tourism Board See Page 4
North County Roses Profiled See Page 10
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3rd May 2011 • Volume 18, Issue 11 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • ISDN 8139966 • Tel: 8•400•200
Council Dismissive Of Residents Our recent report on the appalling condition of roads and particularly speed ramps in Rush, has generated a massive response from our readers from all quarters of the region. We have been inundated with stories of people being given short shrift by the Council in their attempts to get the local authority to claim responsibility for the unacceptable condition of our roads. Whilst our article focused on the condition of speed ramps in Rush, it now appears that the same problem is everywhere to be seen. What seems to be particularly galling to readers, is the apparently dismissive attitude of the local authority to the genuine complaints of residents, whose cars had serious and very expensive damage inflicted upon them, as a result of the poor conditions of the speed ramps all over the North County. Even complaints from people who are just concerned for the safety of both motorists and pedestrians have been treated in a cavalier fashion, insofar as the local authority refuses to take responsibility for the condition of the roads and the obviously inferior products used in the manufacture of the potentially dangerous red ramps. One such person is Swords resident, Marco Barody who highlighted the condition of the speed ramps on the Forest Road in Swords to the council. Marco thought he was acting in a civic and responsible manner, but his efforts to relay his message were met with less than enthusiasm. He told the County Leader, “I thought that being a member of the community, having lived here for seven years, I would inform the council of the situation, as they may not be aware, so I decided to go to the council offices in Swords. I was informed that there was no one to talk to me at this time and I should write in. I
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By Patrick Finnegan was furious as I couldn’t see the point of the offices being open to the public if no one will speak with me. I then decide to email the Head of the Roads department and explain my concerns over the state of the road with emphasis on the speed ramps crumbling. I explained the dangers to all, including pedestrians as the eroding layers are “flying off on to the footpath” and may cause injury to the walkers.” The reply from the council read, “Regarding the Forest Road to the Boroimhe Road, Swords, the maintenance issues on this road will be addressed when the relevant funding can be sourced and the relevant sources subse-
quently become available. The issue regarding the speed ramps in the area will be addressed when resources and budgets become available.” In the meantime, Marco’s wife had the misfortune to hit a pothole causing tyre damage on a back road outside Swords. “I asked for this to be paid and was sent a list including NCT copies, mileage, as well as photographing the road in question. This is not possible as the road is dangerous at the best of times and does not allow you to stop and get out taking photographs without real danger to your safety. Again I replied to this and asked for them to reconsider the details they have requested and have received no reply. I reiterated my request ten days later and yet again, no reply, concluded Marco
O’Brien To Pressurise Government Over Metro North Darragh O’Brien (FF) has secured a seat in the Seanad elections which took place recently. This will be viewed as good news for North County residents, as O’Brien, along with his former colleague, Michael Kennedy were seen as champions of the now endangered Metro North project. O’Brien has called on Health Minister and Fine Gael Deputy Leader, James Reilly to
O’Brien’s election to the By Leslie Murphy Seanad will provide publicly clarify if him with the ideal he supports the platform to ensure unreasonable delay that the government to the start of the come good on their enabling works for commitment to Metro North. He deliver this crucial claims the delay is project. He told the “putting the County Leader, creation of hundred Senator Darragh O’Brien “I’m delighted with of jobs on hold the response I’ve had since indefinitely and throwing the Continued on page 20 entire project into doubt.”
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