Councillor McGrath Recounts Strides Made in Newport in 2012

Lowry Team Councillor John “Rocky” McGrath has commended North Tipperary County Council on the significant strides made in the Newport Area over the last year and has assured residents in the area that he is continuing to work with the Council to ensure the swift resolution of all outstanding issues. Councillor McGrath stated that substantial road upgrading has been undertaken and considerable improvements made in the area over the past year to the benefit of the entire local community and has thanked all involved for their assistance in driving these projects forward.

Councillor McGrath stated;

“As a council we have been successful in bringing a number of projects to fruition in the Newport Area. I welcome that fact that works have been completed on the Kilmore Road to the Silvermines. Flooding here has been a huge nuisance to local residents over the past number of years and the completion of these works and the resolution of this issue is hugely welcome. I would particularly like to commend and thank all of the land owners in the area who have co-operated and assisted the Council in the last year and have helped to make our roads safe by allowing the Council to let off water to their lands.”

“Additionally the commencement of works on the Mulcair Manor estate is a great step forward and is a huge relief to the residents. This issue has been on-going for some years and I am hugely pleased that significant strides have been made in recent times. At present the estate is undergoing major improvements to the sewage and lighting. The front portion of the estate is still in poor condition but I am hopeful that we can move forward and secure a major change to this wasteland in 2013. Also Stonehall is now nearly complete though lighting is still an issue in that area.”

“Furthermore the new 3-4 year road plan has been drawn up and every effort has been made to ensure that roads in the Newport and surrounding areas that are most in need of repair have been included. I know that there are still some roads in my area that are in poor condition. It is my belief that we need to give more of our attention and resources to the maintenance of upland roads. People living in these more rural areas have suffered most from the harsh winter conditions and frequently these roads are in a poor state of repair. I will be campaigning and liaising with the Council to seek to ensure that these roads are prioritised into 2013.”

“I understand that there are still issues outstanding and residents across the Newport Area have concerns that need to be addressed by the Council. Some of the key issues I will be pursuing into the New Year will be the resolution of the on-going flooding problems on the Ballinahinch Road from the Four roads, right through the village of Ballinahinch. I will also be petitioning the Council for works to be undertaken on the road at Ard Mhuire and the resolution of the bottle bank problem. I will also be working for closer co-operation between Tús and Council staff to ensure a better service for the community. For example there needs to be more communication and a better service provided for street cleaning in Newport. The centre of Newport must be prioritised and protected.”

“One of the key issues of concern in the Newport area is the protection and furtherance of our hospitals. Both Nenagh General Hospital and the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles provide a vital service to people in the Newport area. All of the staff in these hospitals, doctors, nurses and administrative staff and indeed those who have retired from these posts, have been doing stellar work in increasingly difficult circumstances with continued cuts to funding. I would like to make my appreciation for their work clearly known and to thank them for their service to our community. I am calling on our Government T.D’s to step up to the mark and fight for the retention and restoration of our hospital services. More needs to be done to ensure that these vital facilities are not lost from the people of North Tipperary. I will remain in close contact with these hospitals and will do all in my power to assist these into the future.”

The Newport Area Councillor also called on all individuals in the area to shop local and support local business is the run up to Christmas.

Councillor McGrath stated;

“We have fantastic local businesses in Newport that have been the stalwart of the community and are well known and respected local landmarks. It is up to all of us to shop local to ensure the continued growth of these businesses and our community and to protect local jobs. By visiting a local shop, hardware store, chemist or pub in the run up or during Christmas we are ensuring the continued vitality of Newport town. It is us that will lose out if these businesses are forced to close.”

“We have a close knit, supportive community in Newport and indeed across the Newport area and it is a pleasure to continue to represent them. I would like to sincerely thank all those across the Newport Area for their assistance in delivering and advancing a number of projects. Well done again to the U14 All-Ireland Winning Camogie team. I would like to thank the Council management and staff for their diligence and help over the past year. I would like to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and every good wish for 2013. I look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of all of the area.”