Doubt about funds for Milltown traffic-calming measures

By TOM GILMORE THE possibility of Milltown getting funds promised for traffic calming measures is still in doubt, according to Cllr. Sean Canney. He was told at the Co Council meeting this week that the traffic-calming could not now be put in place until the Milltown Sewerage Scheme is completed next year. He says a fresh application will have to be made to the National Roads Authority (NRA) and there is no guarantee that funds will be available next year.[private] The design for the works is complete and the Part 8 approval (planning permission) will be concluded next month. However the works cannot now be tendered for, as there will be no money available. 'I have asked for the two jobs to be done at the same time to avoid the road being dug up a second time. 'The council officials said they would try to do so but this is dependent on the funds coming from the NRA and while they will not know that until next February, the sewerage scheme is due to start before Christmas,' says Cllr. Canney. Milltown village is on the busy N17 and over the years there have been many accidents, including fatalities in the village. According to Cllr Canney the Government, having failed to make savings from the perks allowed in the public service. is now putting lives at risk in order to save money in other areas. He also says that Milltown is the only village on the N17 not to have traffic calming and the residents and business people are shocked that it could lose the funding promised for those road safety measures.[/private]