Irish Rail must provide space for bicycles on trains

Labour’s Cllr Keith Martin has called on Irish Rail to make provision for the transportation of bicycles on all their services into Westport when their new trains come to Westport later in the year.

Cllr Martin says the new trains must facilitate cyclists who want to bring their bicycles to and from the town and says cyclists and cycling groups are concerned that the new trains will not carry bicycles.

According to Cllr Martin “Westport is a designated cycling hub town and has received a grant, under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Infrastructure Fund, of €88,000 to promote cycling and cycling lanes. It is important then that cyclists can use the trains to bring their bicycles to and from the town.

Reacting to Cllr Martin’s concerns at his presentation to Westport Town Council last week, Mr Myles McHugh, Service Planning Manager with Irish Rail said it was true that the new trains had a much reduced capacity for bicycles but that provision would be made for them by adapting carriages.

Labour calls for doubling of capitation grant for schools

This week, Labour has put down a Dáil motion calling for the doubling of the capitation grant for schools. This would cost €82 million a year - less than 1 per cent of the total education budget. But the energy and imagination it would release within our national schools would be inestimable. It would fr ee our schools from the constant round of fundraising, and ensure they have enough money in the school budget to pay for the things that make a difference: art materials, musical instruments, sports equipment, books and other learning resources.

€90,000 for access improvments in Westport

I have welcomed the allocation of €90,000 for access works under Westport Town Council’s Roadworks scheme for 2008.

At our March monthly meeting we adopted a Roadworks scheme for works for this year totaling €615,00 which will cover vital works in the town including traffic calming on the Quay Road, resurfacing of the Mill Street Car Park and a new footpath at the Point.

In addition to the 19 specific works we have made a provision of €90,000 for access improvements in the town. We aim to make Westport as accessible as possible for all and this €90,000 allocation is part of your commitment to that goal.

I am a founding member of Westport Town Council’s Barcelona Committee which oversees the town's compliance with its commitments under the Barcelona Convention on Disabilities.

New trains for Westport in May

New rolling stock should be on the Westport to Dublin train line before May according to Irish rail.

At the recent meeting of Westport Town Council Irish Rail executive Myles McHugh refused to be drawn on an exact date for the implementation of the promised new trains for the Westport to Dublin line but in response to repeated requests from town counillors as to an exact date Mr McHugh promised that the trains would be on the line “before the summer”.

When asked when he thought summer began Mr McHugh replied “May” but would not give an exact date but did promise to provide the councillors with a date closer to May.

Addressing Mr McHugh I said it seemed unusual that a transport company which worked daily with timetables could not give Westport town council a timetable for the introduction of the new trains to Westport.

I also told the representative of Irish Rail that it seemed to many that the westport arrivals platform in Dublin was “inching its way to Inchicore” as it was now further and further from the centre of the station.

I urged Mr McHugh and Irish Rail to introduce quality hot food and a reasonably priced children’s menu on the service and highlighted to Mr McHugh that Westport was now a designated cycling hub town and called on Irish rail to make adequate provision for the transportation of bicycles on the new trains.

High Court ruling

A High Court ruling upholding the powers of local councils to enact and enforce by-laws prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in public areas such as parks has been welcomed by Labour's Cllr Keith Martin of Westport Town Council. Westport Town Council adopted by-laws to control the consumption of intoxicating liquor in public places in 2002.

In the High Court on Friday (March 7th) Mr Justice Michael Hanna ruled there was no constitutional or statutory bar to local councils passing bylaws setting out fines for drinking in parks.

He was giving judgment on proceedings by Phillip Clarke of Cloonmore Park, Tallaght, Dublin, who is facing trial under South Dublin Council's bylaws for drinking in the Butler Magee Park in Tallaght on May 1st, 2005.

Mr Justice Hanna found the bylaws did not infringe Mr Clarke's constitutional rights.

The judge said the Oireachtas had given local authorities discretion to introduce bylaws to deal with mischief and nuisance in areas under their supervision.

Cllr Martin says "this judgement ensures that Gardai in Westport can continue to tackle this anti-social behaviour when and where is happens under the powers granted to them by Westport Town Council. The by-product of drinking alcohol in public areas is anti-social behaviour, littering, noise and vandalism. Anyone witnessing such behaviour should contact the Gardai immediately on 098 25555."

Know Your Place Poster Competition

Cá bhfuil cónaí ort? What does your village, townland or parish name mean? That is the question posed this week by Westport Historical Society as they launch a novel schools poster competitions as part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations.

The competition is open to fourth, fifth and sixth classes in the Westport region. The motive behind the competition is to encourage children to research the name and meaning of their townland place name.

The competition runs until April 18th and all entries must be submitted to Westport Historical Society, Westport Quay, Westport, Co. Mayo. Further information is available from Sinsearlann Chuain Mó, Cathair na Mart at (098) 26852.

2008 Special Participation Grant Scheme

Each year Mayo Sports Partnership assist sports groups/organisations financially in projects which main aim is to increase participation in sports/activities.

The Special Participation Initiative Grant Scheme is aimed at encouraging clubs/organisations to introduce new additional projects which aim to increase participation in and opportunities for physical activity.

The 2008 scheme is now open, for further details on what projects are eligible for funding and which are not and for an application form please see their website: www.mayosports.ie (Grant Section)

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