Fencing alongside open drains in Carrick will be addressed

Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire asked that open drains along pathways and within the speed limits of Carrick-on-Shannon be inspected for the safety of all.

She said that particular attention needs to be given to open drains with broken fences no longer adequate for the safety of walkers. 

A prime example, she said, is on the left as one walks from Rosebank Retail Park towards the Shannon roundabout adding that recent increase in drain waters is of serious concern. 

A report by the Roads office said the repair to the low level "horse" fencing along the national road will be undertaken by the local authority on behalf of the TII.

Cllr Armstrong-McGuire said that currently, drains are higher than normal, and that the drain mentioned needs urgent attention. 

Darragh O'Boyle, district engineer, said that the council will seek further funding from the TII "possibly" to upgrade the fencing. 

He added, "The fence inside the drain is not our responsibility and not our issue; it's the landowner's issue. The low-level fence is ours and we'll sort it out."