Ballytegan says; “Council is not taking this seriously”

By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council

A delegation from Ballytegan Tara Rocks Community Group were invited to address the members at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Gorey, but the session ended in disappointment with spokesperson, Jim O’Connor, summing up with the words “you are not taking this seriously?”

Following a welcome from the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pip Breen, the guest community group distributed detailed copies of their aims and demands to the elected members and officials at the meeting and presented their main concerns.

Following on from a public meeting, attended by some of the councillors in the chamber a few weeks ago, the community group outlined a number of issues, including the main road leading to the Gorey-Arklow road, a proposed roundabout off the Coach Road, widening the road from Gorey to Greens Berry Farm and footpath/cycle lanes in the Rock area.

The group felt that making the development and road system right from the start in an area catering for an increased population in housing estates and 1,300 to 1,400 people “if left to developers will be an absolute sham.”

Cllr Anthony Donohoe said he was well aware of the call for a roundabout for a very long time and claimed that €8 million in planning fees and €45 million in total is collected by Wexford County Council in Gorey and he felt it was time that more of that finance was returned to Gorey and used for projects such as the Ballytegan Tara Rocks Community Groups were calling for.

Cllr Donal Kenny said he had attended the public meeting, and the people were very concerned about safety in the area. He mentioned the “money going out of Gorey” and talked about “very narrow” and “very dangerous” roads in the area and recalled difficulties of 14-ft combine harvesters using the roads.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin promised his “100 per cent backing” for the community demands and noted the need for “speed controls” in the area.

Cllr Joe Sulivan pointed out that this is the fifth year of Wexford County Council owning the St. Waleran’s site and he questioned; “What has Wexford County Council done for road infrastructure?”. He said the group “had come in here for a solution” and he suggested the roads section draw up a road plan. Cllr Sullivan said there are 300-400 people in Gleann an Gáirdín and there will be three times that number going forward. “Putting in a road infrastructure for what you (Ballytegan Group) are trying to achieve must be achieved first. You need a plan,” concluded Cllr Sullivan.

There was also support from Cllr Andrew Bolger, who asked for an update on funding as discussed at the November meeting. “Without funding we go nowhere,” he stated.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux referred to “technical difficulties at the railway bridge” and said what is needed is “a major traffic management plan for Gorey.”

Cllr Willie Kavanagh thanked the group for coming to the meeting and outlining their concerns. “We done,” he concluded.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen thanked the delegation and stated that “a commitment from County Hall to do a review on a major traffic plan” was imminent and assured the group that “you are being listened to. We will look for a solution.” He felt the population growth must be addressed.

In reply, Jim O’Connor, spokesperson for the group, expressed disappointment. “You are not taking this seriously?” he concluded.