Update from your Local County Councillor Cathal Rasmussen

I am working to ensure that Cobh is to the forefront of the minds of management in Cork County Council. We need more roads infrastructure and while the issue of funding for the Fota road is not forthcoming at present it is important that we continue our efforts to keep the project on the agenda.

It s great to see that some remedial work has taken place at Belvelly Bridge and while improvements are obvious concerns were raised by council officials monitoring the recent high tides about the condition of the road surface there as it is allowing water to bubble up through the road. Discussions are ongoing to try and find a solution to this problem.

In my work with Minister Sean Sherlock, we are ensuring that Government remains committed to Cobh and it important for the whole town and its surroundings that we keep the pressure on.

The Live Register
Figures for November in Cobh show that unemployment is now under 1,000 people at 7.34%. The plan remains to get Cobh down to full unemployment and I am working closely with Minister Sherlock on initiatives that will aim to attract industry and encourage business growth on the Great Island.

Spike Island
The Main Project termed Fortress Spike Island is funded to the tune of €2.5M by Failte Ireland, with a €1.5M contribution from Cork County Council. An Engineering Consultant has been appointed recently to prepare tender documents for a Contract to start in May 2015 and works to be completed by June 2016 while an Interpretative Consultant has also been appointed to coordinate an interpretative design into the construction work.

Haulbowline
A planning application seeking consent to remediate the East Tip and transform it into a public recreational amenity was submitted to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) on 30th October 2013 and the associated waste licence application was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 14th November 2013. An oral hearing was held by ABP on March 19th 2014 and planning granted on May 1st 2014. A waste licence was subsequently granted on 23rd July. As an all-Island approach has been adopted in relation to the steelworks legacy a risk assessment of the former steelworks was commissioned in April 2014 and is on-going.

The process of procuring design consultants will commence ahead of the Christmas break and, once appointed, the design of the remedial solution will follow in preparation for the procurement of the main contractor thereafter.

Cobh Main Drainage Scheme
This project for the Cobh area is part of the Cork Lower Harbour Drainage Project and the estimated cost for the Cobh section is approximately 10 million euro out of a total spend of €73 million.
It involves the laying of sewerage piping throughout Cobh with a series of pumping stations located around Cobh which will then link up with the new planned treatment plant in Shanbally. Plans are progressing well and meetings will be held with residents, business people and officials in the coming months to discuss how best to keep disruption to a minimum. A commitment has been given that no work will take place in the centre of the town during the tourist season.
This planned work gives Cobh an opportunity to look at the possibility of having services and cabling laid in ducting under the paths and roads and also the possibility of looking at changing the type and quality of footpaths as well as the layout of parking and in certain areas. More information will become available in the New Year as the process develops.

Issue of Lead Pipes
This is very worrying issue for many residents in the Cobh area. At a recent council meeting I requested a list of areas in Cobh affected by lead pipes. I am awaiting a formal response.
In the meantime I have had discussions with Irish Water Officials looking at the possibility of running temporary fresh water mains in affected areas to ensure that fresh lead free water is available to all. The bigger issue of replacing all lead pipes is a more difficult challenge but I have raised the issue at the highest level and I believe that government in partnership with Irish Water have to devise a proper strategy to replace all the lead pipes as soon as possible. If Irish Water cannot or will not do this then the County Council must take over and begin the work with government funding.

Clinics
I will be holding clinics again early in the New Year and more details will follow shortly. If I can help you in any way please contact me on 0868878421 or rosemountcobh1@eircom.net