Kells residents divided on plan to put railing around green

Moves to bring about agreement between residents in O'Growney Terrace in Kells over the issue of a railing around the green area on the Moynalty Road are being made this week. Kells Town Council voted some months ago to provide a railing around the green to prevent children running out onto the road, but some local residents have indicated their opposition to the plan. The issue was raised at a meeting of Kells Town Council last week where of members were divided on the proposal. Cllr Conor Ferguson said this week that they were trying to resolve the issue among the residents. Nell Mongey, a mother of six children, said a number of residents want the railing erected in the interests of child safety. She said it was not just parents of young children, but several elderly residents whose grandchildren visit regularly were also in support of the project. "The road leads down to a motorway and the cars go flying down there. Imagine what would happen if a child ran out onto the road," she said. Ms Mongey said while there is a green area at the rear of the estate, she wouldn't mind her older children playing there, but she wants to be able to keep an eye on her younger children outside her home. There can be up to 13 or 14 children playing on the green and any time. However, a separate group of residents wrote to the council last month requesting a meeting regarding the proposal and pointing out that they had written to the local authority in July 2010 voicing their opposition to the erection of a fence. At last week's meeting of the council, Cllr Conor Ferguson suggested they try and find a solution and he suggested the council talk to both sides. "We should try to get both sides together and find some middle ground. The residents want an overall plan for the area," he said. Area manager Kevin Stewart cautioned against the council becoming the meat in the sandwich between both sides. Cllr Sarah Reilly said she wasn't keen on spending what little resources the council had on something that residents were opposed to. Cllr Sean Drew said the priority had to be the safety and welfare of children. "It is a contentious issue. Some residents aren't happy with children playing football. It would be nice if all the reisdents could come to an agreement. I wouldn't like to see children prohibited from plaing on the green area," he said. Cllr Bryan Reilly said that if something happened a child, they could be held liable. However, he indicated that he would prefer to see the railing outside the footpath at the road, rather than at the edge of the green. Cllr Frankie Lynch said he had driven by recently and his car was hit by a football. "The youngsters were around 12 or 13, so they had the sense not to follow it, but I dread to think what would have happened if it was a younger child," he said. "The safety of children has to be a priority." Cllr Sean Drew suggested suspending work for a month and, if there was no proposal then to amend the original plan, the work should proceed.