At a public meeting early in the year we asked the community to prioritise the issues they wanted the Enniskerry Forum to pursue. Following that meeting, it has been a very busy year for the Forum. In particular the Forum has been engaged in a number of key initiatives over the last few months and this bulletin is an update on the status of two of these issues.

Traffic Tables
Following the community traffic survey, independent traffic audit and the public meeting the Forum engaged with Wicklow County Council (WCC) to establish a plan to commence implementation of various initiatives voted on and supported by the community. The installation of traffic tables was a key safety priority and the Forum worked closely with WCC to secure funding through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to have these tables installed. We were successful and 2 of 3 tables have already been installed. Unfortunately the funding for the 3^rd table was cancelled by the NTA and this is now a 2012 priority for the Forum. There has been some feedback from the community in relation to the tables and the Forum would like to clarify a few points:

 – We did not have any input into the design or specific location of the tables; this was the sole responsibility of WCC who have the resources and expertise to determine these matters. We were advised that the tables would be installed based on current best practice and design.

 – The key objective was to improve traffic safety at dangerous junctions and the feedback we have received would suggest that this objective has been realised.

The Forum will be reengaging with WCC and the NTA early in 2012 to do all we can to have the 3^rd traffic table installed and to progress the other issues identified by the community and supported by way of the vote at the public meeting.

On the subject of WCC and roadworks, you may have observed work being carried out on footpaths, etc around the village and at the entrance to Powerscourt Estate in recent months. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we are developing a continuously improving relationship with WCC, the Forum was entirely unaware of these works in advance of their commencement and had no input to this project. We hope that WCC will advise us of such projects in future so that we can advise the community in advance and channel feedback to WCC in a coordinated manner.

Flooding
There have been a number of flooding situations around the village in recent weeks and a number of individual residents have taken the matter up with WCC. The Forum is supporting these residents and we are putting an Enniskerry emergency weather plan into place which will be ready before year end. This plan will consist of the following:

– We have identified all the locations in and around the village that are at risk of flooding.

 – To the extent that we can we have identified the probable cause of the flooding in these areas and are in dialogue with WCC regarding rectification and improvement.

 – We are keeping a record of flooding events to keep pressure on WCC and to help them prioritise remedial action.

 – The Forum are also putting together a list of volunteers who would make themselves available to assist neighbours and traders who have to deal with flooding during or following heavy rain and with other weather emergencies such as heavy snowfalls.

We believe that by coordinating the village approach to WCC and working together as a community to deal with individual flood situations we can alleviate to some extent the overall flooding impact. It is important to point out that, as with all issues the Forum is engaged in, the Forum is acting in support of local traders, residents and the Enniskerry community on this matter.

The Forum is also engaged in other ongoing initiatives and projects and we intend to issue further bulletins on a regular basis. We welcome comment and feedback as this helps us work better for the community. We would also welcome names and contact details for anyone willing to volunteer to assist with emergency weather situations – or, indeed, anyone wishing to contribute to the Forum’s action fund.

Finally, the Enniskerry Forum would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a very happy and safe Christmas.