Some South Kildare Residents On The River Barrow Can't Get Home Insurance Because Of "Flood Risk"

Cllr. Mark Leigh brought forward the following motions at the Athy MD.

Cllr. Mark Leigh has asked the council to address the home insurance issues facing the residents along the river barrow.

The Athy Labour councillor brought forward the motions and has asked the council, through the Cathaoirleach, to write a letter to the Insurance Ombudsman outlining the discriminatory issue of companies not insuring properties in the Barrow region in South Kildare.

Cllr. Leigh has told the council flooding has never occurred in these areas, and to cease this practice for the duration of the flood relief scheme.

"Insurance companies are working off OPW plans and discriminating against homeowners in the area.

"Homes that have never flooded in 45 years, have now been added to the OPW floodplains and now this year cannot get insurance," he said.

The council has said that the core of the motion relates to insurance cover issues which is outside the council’s remit. It is a matter for the members to agree to write as requested, it said.

Cllr. Leigh has asked the council in conjunction with An Garda Síochána to run a campaign to highlight the speeding issue in Athy Town, especially on Woodstock Street, Monasterevin Road and Carlow Road.

"It's a constant and keeps getting reported to me by residents within the town.

"We need a strategy to slow cars down," he insisted.

The Council has said it will investigate the possibility of running a countywide campaign in conjunction with the An Garda Síochána.

However, In relation to speeding at the locations identified, enforcement of speed limits is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

He has asked the council to confirm the up to date position with the provision of sightlines at
Killeen Lane in Kildangan following the great local improvement scheme work done
there.

"Problem with the sightlines, and there is a planning problem at the moment

The council has said a response to this question will issue as soon as possible, as allowed for
under Standing Order 13.

Cllr.Leigh has asked the council to confirm if any conservation works are due to take place on the
medieval church that's fenced off in St Michael's Old Cemetery.

The council has said the Historic Monuments Committee had a method statement prepared for
this structure and the Department were notified of the proposed works.

However, no works have been undertaken to date.

Cllr. Mark Leigh spoke with Ciara Noble on this morning's Kildare Today: