Ballycasey Park ‘a swamp & safety hazard’

CONDITIONS in Ballycasey Park have been labelled as “a swamp” and “a safety hazard”.

Keith McNamara (IND) who is contesting the local elections in the Shannon Municipal District has voiced concern with the condition of Ballycasey Park.

When launching his campaign a month ago, Keith visited Ballycasey Park. “Nearly five weeks later nothing has changed, and the state of the area and the large pool of stagnant water has deteriorated. This is a safety hazard to young children, animals and a blight on the area, and highlights another blight on the community of Shannon,” he said.

Last year, an allocation of €549,000 under the Active Travel scheme was set aside for footpaths on the Ballycasey Close green area in Shannon. The area near Ballycasey Park was recently enhanced with in the region of €200,000 worth of footpath upgrades, widening and community amenity upgrades.

McNamara flagged, “This work has had an unintended impacted on drainage and the natural water course of the area leading to a large swap like area. The swamp like area at Ballycasey Park is littered, a breathing ground of water born bacteria, and a water safety hazard to all.Local residents of the area have made contact with the local authority since March this year. Senior members of the Shannon Municipal Office have been made aware of the issues, as have some of the current elected members”.

He said, “Promises and commitments were made, but to no work has been done, no measures to alleviate the area have started. This lack of urgency to resolve serious matters is widespread throughout the whole Shannon Municipal District. Footpaths are disappearing under overgrown vegetation, kerbs are being dislodged, moss and weeds are encroaching and reducing the accessibly on footpaths for all members of the community.

“Playing areas are left with broken equipment for prolonged periods and public lighting been left for weeks without repair. Shannon was built and designed as an accessible town with many linking footpaths which are becoming less accessible from years of neglect,” he continued.

Clare County Council need to take action and plan for repairs and regeneration with a focus on long-term maintenance with the resources needed, McNamara stressed. “I see rot in community amenities from my youth and it’s clear we need regeneration”.