Damaged fencing in Drumshanbo needs review, say councillors

Cllr Enda McGloin called for the repair of rotten and broken fencing across Drumshanbo, especially along the Mart Link Road to the Waterways Ireland Amenity at Blackrock.

“There’s a lot of fencing around open areas in Drumshanbo — especially in key community spots — that needs attention,” said Cllr Enda McGloin. He added: “Unfortunately, wooden fencing is great when it’s erected first, but then over time it disintegrates, and it needs to be replaced.”

Cllr Brendan Barry echoed the concern and questioned the material used. “Why are we persisting in using this white one, which only has a life expectancy of 10 or 12 years? We’re going to have this constant coming back with replacements.”

He noted seeing similar fencing collapse elsewhere: “I was driving yesterday and I noticed along a national primary route… they’re just lying flat now… they’re rotten at the bottom.”

Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn also supported the motion, stating: “The Council should be looking at alternatives. It might cost a little more upfront, but it would last a lot longer.”

District Engineer Darragh O’Boyle noted: “We can repair the damaged fencing that is in Leitrim County Council ownership. Usually, all land agreements between land owners and Leitrim County Council identify the responsibility of the boundary with the land owner. The majority of the timber fence has now been replaced with mature hedging from the Lough Allen Hotel roundabout to Waterways Ireland entrance.”

“Most of the fencing around Drumshanbo belongs to private landowners, but where the Council does own it, we’ll repair it like-for-like. We’re also happy to support Tidy Towns in fixing what they originally installed.”

He also confirmed that, “The fencing that was opposite the Mart yard was put up by Tidy Towns a number of years ago with our assistance. No problem fixing that fence, we certainly fixed the rails on that.”

A walk-through of the affected areas will be arranged, with potential involvement from the Tidy Towns group and scheme supervisor Noel Burns. “We pick a date and we go for a walk,” O’Boyle said. Cllr McGloin welcomed the offer: “Yeah, well that’s very welcome, I appreciate that.”

READ MORE Elderly abandoned as HSE fails to staff thousands of care hours