As a local election candidate, one of my top priorities is to enhance the infrastructure in Glasnevin Village. Our community deserves a well-maintained and vibrant environment that reflects the pride we all have in our village. Here are the key areas of concern raised by residents that I am committed to addressing:
Road Repairs: Our roads are in dire need of repair, particularly Ballymun Road Lower, St. Mobhi Drive, Botanic Road, and the stretch from the bridge to the Botanic Gardens. I will advocate for the necessary repairs to ensure safe and smooth travel for all residents and visitors.
Dean Swift Bridge: The cleaning and painting of the Dean Swift Bridge is essential for maintaining its structural integrity and appearance. This iconic bridge deserves regular upkeep, and I will push for these actions to be prioritised.
Road and Path Sweeps: Regular road and path sweeps, including leaf collection, are crucial for keeping our village clean and safe. I will ensure that these services are carried out consistently and effectively.
Traffic Management and Congestion: Illegal parking remains a significant issue, contributing to congestion and safety hazards. I will continue to highlight this problem to the Council and advocate for better parking solutions, particularly during events at the Church and busy days at the Botanic Gardens.
Street Signage and Bollards: Re-painting street signage, installing traffic bollards, and ensuring the regular cleaning of gullies are necessary steps to maintain and improve our village. I will work to see these improvements implemented.
Litter Management: Additional smart litter bins, dog litter signage, and prompt graffiti removal are all part of creating a welcoming and pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike. I am dedicated to seeing these enhancements realised.
Further it is important to addressing littering by a small cohort of hospital staff in the residential areas surrounding the hospital. It has come to my attention that hospital staff have been smoking in residential areas and not properly disposing of their cigarette butts in the bins provided, leading to litter and environmental concerns. This behaviour not only undermines the hospital’s policy but also contributes to litter and environmental degradation, negatively impacting our community.
As a candidate committed to improving our community, I propose the following actions to address this issue:
- Enhanced Enforcement: I advocate for the introduction of a dedicated litter warden to patrol the affected areas. This warden would be responsible for monitoring and enforcing litter laws, ensuring that all individuals, including hospital staff, properly dispose of their cigarette butts in the bins provided.
- Community Engagement: Encourage residents to report instances of littering through a Council text line or app, which will allow for quicker response times from the litter warden.
- Hospital’s Role in Community Clean-Up : Given that the issue is predominantly caused by hospital staff, I believe the hospital should take responsibility for regular clean-ups (as part of their corporate social responsibility). Organising periodic clean-up events and maintaining the cleanliness of surrounding areas would demonstrate their commitment to the community and help mitigate the problem.
- Collaboration with the Hospital: Encourage the hospital to reinforce its smoke-free campus policy by including adjacent residential areas.
- Designated Smoking Areas: Work with the hospital to establish designated smoking areas away from residential zones. Clearly marked and equipped with proper disposal bins, these areas can help contain smoking to less disruptive locations.
- Increased Awareness: Implement an awareness campaign in collaboration with the local hospital to educate staff about the importance of proper cigarette disposal and the impact of littering on the community.
- Improved Facilities: Ensure that there are enough cigarette disposal bins in the vicinity of the hospital and residential areas. The strategic placement of these bins can significantly reduce litter.
New Seating in Glasnevin Village : As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life in Glasnevin Village, I am committed to increasing the availability of seating options throughout the community. More seating areas will provide comfortable spots for residents and visitors to rest, socialise, and enjoy the village. These additional benches and seating areas will be strategically placed near popular locations such as the River Tolka, Church, and local shops to encourage more foot traffic and outdoor engagement. By installing more seating, we aim to create a welcoming environment that fosters social interaction and makes our village a more pleasant place to live, work, and visit. If elected, I will ensure this initiative is prioritised and implemented promptly.
Your input is invaluable in maintaining and improving our beloved village. I urge all residents to continue voicing their concerns and suggestions. Please give me your #1 Vote in the Local Elections for the Cabra-Glasnevin LEA on June 7th. Together, we can create a better, more beautiful Glasnevin Village.
