Community frustration as Offaly council drags heels on taking charge of estate

RESIDENTS living on a Tullamore housing estate are totally exasperated at the council's lack of progress and clarity regarding the 'taking in charge' status of the estate.

The residents of Hophill say they are living in limbo and have no one to turn to in relation to broken pavements, sizeable pot holes in the middle of the roads and inadequate public lighting in several areas.

Despite persistent efforts by residents association secretary, Shay Sexton to identify what the council's plans are, he now finds himself totally disillusioned as he says he has had no response to his latest correspondence to the council which was sent in early March.

Compounding the issue is the defunct status of the company responsible for building the estate, which includes The Avenue, The Cedars, The Grove and The Vale. The result is when pavements become cracked and hazardous to walk on especially at night, the residents have nowhere to turn to. The looming question of liability in case of accidents underscores the urgency of the situation.

The people are now calling on all the local representatives to collectively prioritise the estate's status on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of Tullamore Municipal District and to demand clarity on when the council will assume responsibility.

''Since 2013 we are all paying property tax, it is taken out by Revenue and given to the council to maintain the roads and footpaths in the estate which they are not doing,'' said Chairperson Sean Robbins. ''We are second class citizens as far as I'm concerned being treated like that. It's their duty to take it over. It's their responsibility.''

Another concern relates to those who wish to buy a house in the estate. Some are being refused mortgages, as when the mortgage provider learns the council has not taken charge of the estate they pull out.

The residents who are all proud of their estate and maintain their own insurance for planting flowers and trees. However, their efforts are being hindered by the deteriorating roads and footpaths.

In addition parts of the estate are sparsely lit at night. Although residents have acquired their own defibrillator with the help of the Public Participation Network Offaly, they are unable to place it in their desired location due to inadequate lighting, despite it being adjacent to the home of a trained individual capable of using and teaching others how to use it.

Furthermore just recently permission was granted for a new housing scheme nearby with an entrance and exit through Hophill. This will also involve construction traffic which by its very nature is expected to put extra pressure on already stressed roads leading to even more potholes and ripped surfaces, believe the residents.

The ongoing frustration at the council's failure to act has left residents disheartened at the status of the estate. They are hoping that the local councillors will take up the fight and act on their behalf.

The next meeting of Tullamore Municipal District takes place next Thursday April 11.