Further extension required for Cnoc na Greine works

A further extension of four weeks for the foul and surface water drainage repairs at Cnoc na Greine has been decided, following an inspection by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne.

The extension from 9 August to 13 September is due to 'unforeseen circumstances', according to the Council, which has apologised for any further inconvenience caused. Diversions will continue to be in place. The estate's residents association has called for better footpath access in the meantime in some areas.

The works started the end of March of this year, and an earlier extension of the anticipated duration was announced from 21 July to 9 August.

The estate was taken in charge by Kildare County Council in 2022, ending a two decades-long fight to have this achieved. Necessary repairs were completed to the street lights system first, but the drainage repairs were by far the most difficult outstanding works.

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Duration of works at Cnoc na Greine extended

The works at Cnoc na Greine have been extended to 9 August because of additional needs discovered during the current digging and repair works to the estate's sewage services, writes Brian Byrne.

This means that the Cnoc na Greine Avenue will continue to be closed until further notice, and pedestrian access  day to day may vary due to movement of machinery and materials.

Currently the pedestrian access across the new bridge remains open, though that to the GAA grounds is now closed. Diversions for motor traffic remain in place.

The contractor has reminded all that no unauthorised access is allowed to the fenced in site during the works.

It is envisaged that the Cnoc na Greine Avenue will be reopened before works continue within the estate, where currently there is temporary reinstatement of parts of the road and footpaths that yet have to be completed. 

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Contractor to be appointed for Cnoc na Greine drainage defects

A contractor is to be appointed to carry out remedial works to defective sewer systems in Cnoc na Greine, writes Brian Byrne. After years of representations, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has received confirmation from Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) that they have agreed with Kildare Council to fund the works, 'addressing all identified defects'.

The issues experienced in the estate are due to several sewer defects, which include a section of open jointed sewer. UÉ have instructed Kildare County Council to appoint a suitable contractor for the remedial work. "Good news finally," commented Cllr O'Dwyer.

An agreement that the Cnoc na Greine estate would be taken in charge was achieved at a meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District in November 2022. Lighting issues in the estate had earlier been addressed at a cost of €50,000.

Previously, when Kilcullen was part of the Naas MD, attempts had been made by several councillors to have the estate taken in charge. In 2018, they were told that the defects in the foul and surface water networks in Cnoc na Greine were holding up the matter and that a tender package was being prepared, but TIC would depend on agreeing funding with Irish Water. 

The building of Cnoc na Greine, with an original plan for 256 houses, was commenced in 2000. In 2002 developers M&D Properties were in dispute with Kildare County Council over a plan to build a link road along part of the estate. 

 

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Call for more help by Cnoc na Greine

Cnoc na Greine are looking for additional committee members to join the Residents Association, saying they need some more help.

Involvement would mean approximately 4-5 meetings a year, helping with event organising for family days and clean up days and also collecting the annual maintenance fee.

The Association is always looking for new ideas, and all views are taken on board for collective decision making. Key activities include continued work with maintenance of green areas and ongoing follow up with estate requirements now that it has been taken in charge.  

"Every bit of support helps, even by just attending the meetings," the Association says in a recent Facebook post. "We all live in a great town with friendly neighbours and it’s a great way to meet people. Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from more volunteers."

Those interested can message from the Facebook page Cnoc Na Greine Residents Association or email cnocnagreineresassoc@gmail.com.

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Cnoc na Greine Family Fun Day

The Cnoc na Greine Family Fun Day has been set for Sunday 11 September, a change from the original date which clashed with another event.

The location is the Middle Green and things kick off at 2pm.

All families and residents are welcome, and advised to bring picnic baskets, drinks and snacks, and mingle with neighbours.

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Cnoc na Greine AGM hears progress on taking in charge

Committee members (front) Kristina Marcihkiehe, Kamila Saternus and Lavina Sunderland with some of the attendance at the AGM.

The process of getting Cnoc na Greine taken in charge is continuing, the AGM of the estate's residents association heard this evening, writes Brian Byrne. 

The meeting in Kilcullen Community Centre was given an update on the TIC progress by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who noted that there is currently correspondence between the legal representatives of Kildare County Council and Irish Water towards a resolution of some of the issues. The efforts have been ongoing over several years and will still take further time. In the meantime, the residents will be keeping the pressure on for a conclusion. 

There was also a presentation by Ann Cashman of Kilcullen Community Action, who outlined various activities undertaken in the community and with estates over recent years. She said KCA will always welcome involvement from individuals and groups like the residents associations.

Mark Reid spoke about the work of Kilcullen Community 4 Climate Action, including tree planting in the estate and noted that a community compost bin is being installed in Cnoc na Greine. 

The outgoing committee of Mark Phelan, Kristina Marcihkiehe, Kamila Saternus and Lavina Sunderland are continuing in place for another year. Chairman Mark Phelan was unable to attend this evening's meeting.

The meeting also discussed a range of ongoing initiatives, including grass cutting, new tree planting, tree management by Kildare County Council, clean-up days, speeding signage and the estate's Walking Group. 

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Cnoc na Greine taking in charge is imminent

Homeowners in Cnoc na Greine have been circulated with forms asking them to agree to the taking in charge of the estate by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows many years of effort and much recent behind the scenes work by the estate's residents association and local representatives.

A minimum of 51pc of homeowners in the estate must sign the forms, agreeing to the taking in charge. The residents association has emphasised that this is a standard procedure when there is no developer involved.

When the estate is taken in charge, important issues such as storm water drainage, foul sewer, parking, and maintenance issues such as kerbing can all start to be addressed.

Residents have been told that Kildare County Council agrees that such issues are a priority now and budgets have been allocated with below-ground works set to commence shortly.

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Progress on Cnoc na Greine TIC

Pic: Cnoc na Greine Residents Association.

The taking in charge of the Cnoc na Greine estate by the end of 2022 is 'achievable', according to Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who visited the estate on Thursday to give the residents an update, writes Brian Byrne.

This timeline is contingent on there being no issues reported from a CCTV inspection of the drainage in Cnoc na Greine. The councillor noted that €50,000 has been allocated to this, and tender documents are being prepared for the survey.

Issues with the lighting in the estate have already been completed at a cost of €50,000.

In other items, the residents were assured that the proposed pedestrian crossing for Pinkeen Stream is at the forefront of the Council's plans. Footpath repairs and designation of more off-street car parking spaces were also discussed.

Cllr O'Dwyer is pictured with Mark Phelan, chairman of Cnoc na Greine Residents Association.

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Cnoc na Greine TIC up for discussion at Naas MD

The taking in charge of the Cnoc na Greine Woods Estate is the subject of a motion to be discussed at next Tuesday's meeting of the Naas Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

The motion by Cllr Anne Breen asks if the Council can take the estate in charge, 'and when will this be possible?'

Last April, the Council told Cllrs Billy Hillis and Fintan Brett that 'defects in the foul and surface water networks' were holding up taking the general Cnoc na Greine estate in charge.

At the time, officials said a tender package for the remediation of the defects was 'being prepared'. Funding would subsequently have to be agreed with Irish Water, the councillors were told.

The fact that the Council has not taken responsibility for the estate has meant that a number of issues, including dealing with non-working public lighting, have been left to the efforts of residents to have them dealt with.

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Cnoc na Greine residents appeal

An appeal to all residents of Cnon na Greine has been made for help to get the estate 'on track and looking lovely'.

The request comes from the Cnoc Na Greine Committee, which has recently delivered leaflets to every house in the estate, which among other things notes that the €50 annual donation towards the Committee's maintenance work is now due.

Collectors will be calling around in the next few days and weeks, according to the Committee's Facebook page.

Anyone with queries is asked to email cnocnagreineresassoc@gmail.com or send a private message via the page.


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