Galway County Council needs to invest in the community of Oranmore by providing more amenities and facilities for both the elderly and youth, according to Independent election candidate Roderick O’Driscoll.
Mr O’Driscoll says huge development during the boom, there has been little investment in community facilities and amenities for Oranmore which has grown substantially.
“It’s not a village anymore, it’s a town and there are no amenities provided for the community. I’m looking for the county council to provide amenities such as a community shed which will allow the elderly to socialise and hold activities and can be used by youth clubs. There’s nothing like that available. The council received funds from developers and yet nothing has been spent. We need to invest in the community.
According to Mr O’Driscoll there are many community and safety issues that need addressing, including a “treacherous” road at Oranhill which although started 12 months ago has not been fully completed with bollards in the way and the footpath neglected. He also expressed concern for the Maree Road to Limerick Road and the possible dangers posed to the 2,000 or so students attending the local Gaelscoil. Noting that the roundabout put in place serves no purpose, Mr O’Driscoll calls on the council to provide safer alternative access to alleviate traffic, adding that during rush hour between 8.15am and 9am “it is nearly impossible to get through the village”.
The lack of pitches for local clubs and students is also of concern to Mr Driscoll who pointed out that plans for another unit to put in place at the Tesco shopping centre would result in an entrance/exit going through the nearby pitch. “It is going to be eliminated and there will be no pitch for the 850 or so Calasanctius students,” said Mr O’Driscoll before adding that more, not less, amenities will be needed for the Oranmore area which has grown to more than 5,000 inhabitants, with more than 2,500 children being dropped off for school.
