This article is from page 23 of the 2011-10-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
CONCERNS have been expressed over the condition of the Tullyvarraga Hill Wood in Shannon.
Independent councillor Patricia McCarthy raised the issue at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last week, asking what planned maintenance programme is in place for the wood.
In response to her motion, Councillor McCarthy was told that the majority of trees are in good condi- tion, having been replanted in recent years.
“Some maintenance works are required in order to keep the pathways clear of vegetation and it is intended to carry out these works shortly. It is proposed to incorporate this area into the Shannon Green Area Maintenance Contract for 2012,” stated a written response from Senior Executive Engineer, Eugene O’Shea.
Cllr McCarthy told the meeting, “We had problems with it from the word go.”
She said that 13,500 broadleaf trees were planted. “There hasn’t been any pruning. There doesn’t seem to be any thinning,” she said.
Sinn Féin councillor Cathy McCafferty told the meeting there were “too many shortcuts taken in this particular instance”. She said that a gentleman in a wheelchair could not get past the vegetation and had to go out onto the road.
Fine Gael councillor Mike Fleming said that the town is aiming to progress in the national Tidy Towns competitions. Yet, Tullyvarraga Wood was causing headaches. “The town is trying to win with our Tidy Towns competitions, but there is a job only half done,” he said.
Labour councillor Tony McMahon said, “I’d like to know what is the situation around the planned maintenance and the future plans for upgrading and maintenance.
“There has been a whole cloudy history around it. I’d like to see that area maintained in a specific and measured way,” he said.