Shared Space Zones – Notice of Question

8.3 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden

“By Municipal District, how many designated Shared Spaces Zones are in County Meath?”

Response
Meath County Council currently do not have shared zones. We have approximately 109 slow zones which are used in housing estates that have a 30kph speed limit, the numbers per MD are as follows;

Ashbourne – 22
Kells – 22
Laytown – 10
Navan – 23
Ratoath – 22
Trim – 10
Slow zones utilise a similar sign to F404 in the Traffic Signs Manual.

Shared space zones are however being considered where appropriate on schemes in Ratoath, Navan and Dunboyne.

Meath County Council HVO Trial – Notice of Question

Transportation SPC – Notice of Question (Feb 2023)

Can Meath County Council investigate the possible use of and feasibility of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Fuel for the fleet of council vehicles?

Response (May 2023)
Decarbonization of fleet is a priority for Meath County Council and will greatly aid organizational emissions reduction to achieve our 2030 targets, however, it is not without challenges for our larger sized fleet where EV or hydrogen technology is not fully proven or readily accessible. In order to strive towards our targets transitional options must be examined, including HVO. In developing transitional solutions, it is important that vehicles can continue to perform as present in terms of range, volume and load capacity, further to this an exercise is currently ongoing to ascertain our future resource needs(including fleet) in a changing environment.

Transportation Operations in collaboration with the Climate Action Team have commenced a trial of HVO in the Navan depot. Three vehicles from the Navan MD have
been assigned to the trial plus a Civil Defence vehicle from the adjacent HQ. The trial will run for a period of three months and may be extended for a further three months using a great number of vehicles. HVO fuel consumption will be monitored over the trial period as will vehicle performance.

In consideration of the longer term use of HVO or other alternative fuels there are number of considerations. Firstly, locations and size of the bunded tanks, some of our depots have restrictions on space or may require additional security if large volumes of fuel are to be stored, storage locations would have to be carefully considered to avoid unnecessary driving to re-fuel. Secondly, the fuel must be certified as fully sustainable, that is, made form waste oils and not from processes contributing to deforestation. Additionally, security of supply is important, that fuel is available on an ongoing basis with short lead in times.

It is recognised technology is constantly changing and the alternative fuels space is a dynamic one, Transportation will continue to engage with the sector to explore options and where appropriate participate in trials, consideration will need to be given on how best to procure alternative fuels and if there are economy of scales benefit in collaborating with other local authorities or agencies. The outcome of this trial will inform options for fleet across all directorates.

Motion calling for the consideration of Nuclear Power Generation in Ireland.

Over the years I have spoken about Nuclear Power in many contexts including Global Warming, Energy Security, Sustainability and Government Policy. Cllr. Alan Tobin also spoke on these issues and we share many views on the subject. In October I reached out to Cllr. Alan Tobin to co-sponsor a motion.

The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 reads:

(6) An order under this section shall not provide for the use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity.

This legislation has effectively stopped Ireland talking about Nuclear Energy. The purpose of the motion is for our country to have an honest debate about Nuclear energy and its possible role in our transition to low carbon electricity generation.

The motion does not propose or suggest renewables are not the future, they are but there is a difficult transition period ahead of us. Crucially, we don’t have the time. We believe a mix of nuclear and renewables is a viable solution for Ireland.

At the December 2022 meeting of Meath County Council our motion on the Electricity Regulation Act & Nuclear Power Generation was debated and passed by the members. The motion:

10.2 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden and Councillor Alan Tobin (Deferred fromOctober and November Meetings)

“Meath County Council calls on the Government to amend the Electricity Regulation Act and associated legislation to allow for the consideration and possible implementation of nuclear power generation in Ireland.”

The motion was sent to Government and to all local authorities for their consideration. We continue to work with elected members and groups so Ireland can have an honest debate on Nuclear Power Generation.

Here is a link to my notes that I worked from for the debate – Cllr Trevor Golden – Motion – Nuclear Power – Electricity Generation Act.pdf

Link to Meath Chronicle Article – Should nuclear power be generated in Ireland? – that is the question posed by two councillors at a Meath County Council meeting.

Link to 12-2022 Minutes December Meath County Council.

Road Sweeper – Trim Municipal District 2021

The following dates have been arranged for sweeps of the villages in Trim Municipal District:

SummerhillMonday 22nd March 2021
LongwoodTuesday 23rd March 2021
ClonardTuesday 23rd March 2021
RathmolyonTuesday 23rd March 2021
BallivorWednesday 24th March 2021
KildalkeyWednesday 24th March 2021
EnfieldThursday 25th March 2021
Enfield/Ring RoadFriday 26th March 2021

Funding Secured for R154 (Dublin Road) Pedestrian Crossing

Funding has been secured for one pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of St John’s estate towards the Knightsbrook Roundabout on the Dublin Road, Trim. There is no funding for a second crossing at this location therefore the exact location of the crossing being installed will be carefully considered following an engineering evaluation. The money will be coming from sustainable transport funding in 2021 therefore works will not commence until at least the second quarter of 2021.

This follows on from a 2019 Notice of Motion and subsequent Report on Pedestrian Safety Newtown Bridge & R154 Pedestrian Crossing.

NTA – Allocation Approval Trim MD – Meath County Council

Meath County Council made a submission to the NTA for funding of various schemes under the Stimulus Plan announced by Government last month.

The NTA have now confirmed the projects to be funded and the related allocation amounts and below is a list of the schemes relevant to the Trim Municipal District.

Road Number (or Street Name in Urban Areas)Location of Proposed SchemeProject Type and Brief Description

R-159-89EnfieldProvide new footpath to creche
Lackanash RoadTrimSignalised pedestrian crossing
R-158-0Summerhill Road, TrimReconstruction / renewal of defective footpaths or cycle tracks.
R-161-0Navan Gate Street, Trim,Reconstruction / renewal of defective footpaths or cycle tracks.
Enfield VillageVarious locations in the villageRecent walkability studies identified several footpaths, cycleways/lanes that need upgrading in order to become more user friendly to users, wheelchair users, buggy users, older people etc. 
Summerhill VillageVarious locations in the villageRecent walkability studies identified several footpaths, cycleways/lanes that need upgrading in order to become more user friendly to users, wheelchair users, buggy users, older people etc. 
R156Summerhill VillageReconstruction/Renewal of defective footpaths or cycle tracks
Ribbontail LaneLongwoodSurfacing new link to Royal Canal

Roadmap for reopening society and business – COVID19

Two changes come onto effect from Tuesday 5th of May:

  • People can travel up to 5 kilometres from their home to exercise.
  • Those who are cocooning can leave their homes for exercise so long as they avoid all contact with other people.
Roadmap for reopening society and business in Ireland from Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Health. COVID19
COVID19 Roadmap for reopening society and business in Ireland

The full document Roadmap for reopening society and business is available here & here.

Update from the Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Health – 01/05/2020.

Update on Public Lighting at Kildalkey National School

A tele-conference meeting was held on the 12th  March last between the Kenny Lyons Architects, Leamore (Contractor for St. Dympna’s National School Kildalkey) and the MCC Public Lighting Section to agree the cost for completion of the works by Leamore. The following was proposed:

MCC would make provision in its Capital Plan in the amount of €22,500 towards the cost of the public lighting works

MCC would provide 12 No. public lighting heads/lanterns to Leamore for the public lighting (MCC could source these lanterns  at a more competitive price through its maintenance contract)

Kenny Lyons would revert to the school/Department of Education to fund the remaining balance of  the Contractor’s  quotation to complete the works in the amount of €11,858.

Kenny Lyons Architects have advised that they were in contact with the Department just prior to the commencement of the current COVID 19 restrictions and that verbal agreement was given to fund the balance of the monies as set out above.

When the current COVID-19 restrictions with respect to travel and construction works are reviewed by the Government,  Leamore may be in a position to advise and agree on a start date and programme for the works with Kenny Lyons Architects.

The Council understand that the ESB are progressing with preparing a work order for the electrical services diversion works required (note: some ESB works may be affected by current COVID19 restrictions also).

IMPORTANT NOTICE – MEATH RECYCLING CENTRES

The initiative to waive the €5 fee for black bin waste on a trial period at the Kells Navan and Trim Recycling Centres has resulted in overstimulating visitor numbers to the extent that it has now become impossible to observe Covid 19 social distancing restrictions at the centres.  Over 2,000 customers visited the centres over the weekend of the initiative, depositing 2,300 bags of refuse for safe disposal, some of which may otherwise have been illegally dumped.

The high level of activity presented difficulties in terms of traffic and essential travel restrictions also.  Regretfully this high level of activity cannot be sustained in the current era of Covid 19 restrictions. 

The Recycling Centres are deemed to be an essential service, in particular serving the needs of the population who do not have access to a kerbside collection service, and it is vital that they remain open during this period.

For this reason, it has been decided to reinstate the charges for household waste from 8.30am Wednesday 22nd April.  This will lead to a reduction in the visitor numbers to the sites and will ensure that the sites are allowed to remain open whilst observing social distancing restrictions and that the use of the centres does not present a health threat to visitors or staff.

The public are advised to use the sites only if essentially required and to store materials where possible at this time.

The gate fee of €2 continues to be waived.

We continue to seek vigilance from the public in terms of illegal dumping which has increased in recent weeks.

All waste collectors must have a waste collection permit.  Never use a waste collector who does not have a permit listed at www.nwcpo.ie

Report suspicious activity to environment@meathcoco.ie

For further information on recycling centres in Meath visit www.meath.ie

Civic Amenity Sites – Navan ,Kells and Trim

“Waste collection and disposal is designated as a critical and essential service  and following consideration and recommendations  of the Regional Waste Management Offices and the Local Authority Business Continuity Group the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment  have agreed for Civic Amenity sites to remain open to facilitate acceptance of essential waste and in particular for households who are not in receipt of a kerbside / door to door collection service.

The Civic Amenity Sites at Navan, Kells and Trim will therefore remain open Monday to Saturday (8.30am to 4.45pm) however the public are advised to use the sites only if essentially required and alternatively to store materials where possible at this time. It is anticipated that if the Covid 19 restrictions are fully observed activity at these sites will be significantly reduced and social distancing will be more easily achieved.

As you are aware, in order to eliminate cash handling the Council waived the €2 entry charge to the three sites for the period of the current health protection measures being in place. We have also decided to waive the €5 fee for a bag of day to day residual domestic waste (with recyclables removed) on a temporary basis to reduce illegal dumping which is become ever more prevalent across the county and presents a serious health risk to our staff.

The operations at the three sites will be monitored on an ongoing basis and changes put in place where necessary.

Notwithstanding our decision to waive the fees as above, it is a matter for the Gardai to decide if the trip is essential or not.”

– Meath County Council Environment Department