Galway Bay fm newsroom – A major rhododendron clearance project is to get underway at Connemara National Park towards the end of this year.

The Department of Heritage has allocated half a million euro funding towards the clearance project.

Rhododendron is an extremely invasive plant, that can colonise habitats and poses a significant threat to peatlands in the west of Ireland.

Minister of State for Heritage Malcom Noonan says the funding will be spent over the next two years and will create employment opportunities within the National Park.

The Department says it aims to have tenders published, contracts signed and works commenced on the project by Q4 of 2021.

National Parks and Wildlife Service West Manager William Cormican says it will be a crucial and very extensive undertaking.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The distribution of a €180 thousand allocation from central government to Tuam Municipal District led to a heated debate at this week’s meeting of the seven member group.

Following a long debate, a proposal led by the Fianna Fail majority grouping of four councillors was passed after a vote, with the two Fine Gael members and one Independent member voting against.

Under the proposal, Fianna Fail councillors directed that €60,000 be allocated for the purpose of recruiting a technical and engineering speciality to assist in roads and infrastructural development and enhancement plans across the area.

The four Fianna Fail councillors allocated €30 thousand each to specific projects.

In certain cases, this also involved allocating money to notice of motion funds, to in turn be directed to their focused projects.

Councillor Mary Hoade allocated funding for pedestrian safety measures in Caherlistrane village.

Councillor Colm Keaveney allocated funding with a focus on environmental, shared space and pedestrian infrastructure.

Councillor Donagh Killilea focused projects included the construction of a walkway and new seating at Ballygaddy Park, improving the estate entrance at Millstream Park/Weir Road and upgrades at the Palace Grounds Tuam, Corofin village project and Belclare village enhancements.

Councillor Joe Sheridan’s focus projects for funding were in the areas of climate, tourism amenities and trails with mapping and signage.

Fine Gael councillor Pete Roche expressed his “annoyance” with the Fianna Fail proposal arguing it had happened without adequate consultation with the full group and described it as “a political stunt”.

Headford councillor Andrew Reddington argued the €180 thousand should be divided to deliver seven good projects and avoid any such argument.

Independent councillor Karey McHugh said she was concerned with the money being given to notice of motion. She said while she had no problem with a lot of the projects included, she felt some decisions being made were not good governance.

Councillor Andrew Reddington proposed a lighting project for Headford and a project involving wheelcair accessible benches at public piers in the area – This was seconded by councillor Karey McHugh and also supported by councillor Pete Roche.

However Cathaoirleach Joe Sheridan told the meeting it was “not a valid proposal”.

Councillor Mary Hoade defended the Fianna Fail group proposal arguing that without extra staff it was going to be impossible to get vital work done and said all projects identified were tangible.

Councillor Donagh Killilea said extra staff would have an immediate impact and it was important to get the shovel ready projects done.

Councillor Colm Keaveney said nobody was stopping any councillor from having a meeting with engineering personnel in relation to the allocation and possible menu of options and that concerns raised at the meeting “smells of sour grapes”.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway County Council has indicated that a one-way traffic system for Oranmore could still be on the cards.

It follows the recent submission of a detailed one-way trail system to the local authority by the MÓR Action group – accompanied by a petition of over 1,500 signatures.

While that proposal was ultimately dismissed, a meeting this week revealed it’s still a possibility and considerable thought has been given to the idea.

The matter arose at this week’s meeting of the Athenry-Oranmore municipal district.

Councillor Jim Cuddy wanted to know if recently announced active travel funding for Galway projects could be put towards the Oranmore Traffic Management Plan.

He was advised that plan is now obsolete – and that a new transportation plan is currently in the works for the village, that will be more mindful of all modes of transportation – including pedestrians and cyclists.

It’ll not only examine issues like traffic, parking, road safety, pedestrian access and cycling – but also the potential for a one way traffic system through the village.

While such an idea was recently proposed by the MÓR Action community group as part of a detailed submission, the indication was that it was a non-runner.

Now, just weeks later, the local authority has confirmed that a one-way system will be considered by consultants when drafting a new transportation plan for Oranmore.

It was clear considerable thought has been given to the idea, as it was revealed the local authority has liased with private businesses to secure, in principle, the use of private roads for a one-way system.

There is no firm date at present for the development of the new transport plan for Oranmore – but it’s expected the project will get underway this year with the appointment of a consultant.