·         Adoption of Minutes of Meeting dated 14^th July, 2020

The Cathaoirleach Donal Kilduff welcomed everyone to the meeting

It was noted that the meeting was held in accordance with Government Guidelines in relation to social / physical distancing.

On the PROPOSAL OF:   Cllr J Naughten

            SECONDED BY:   Cllr T Ward.

It was Agreed to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on Tuesday 15^th September, 2020.

Cllr. J Naughten expressed his disappointment in relation to the response/assessments in regards to speed on the old Tuam Rd., Monksland.  He said speed ramps are required to address the issue immediately.

Cllr. J Naughten also raised the issue of the absence of bus shelters at bus stops on the old Tuam Rd., he drew particular attention to the bus stop outside the Civic Centre as winter is approaching.

Cllr. J Keogh said it is over a year since the petition from residents from the old Tuam Road was submitted and urgent action is required. He asked for an update in relation to the Safety Audit.  Cllr J Keogh suggested Speed Ramp, Pedestrian Crossings, Traffic Lights as possible means to slow down traffic.

Cllr. L Fallon brought up the increase in water levels at Lough Funshinagh, the OPW’s refusal to meet with the Elected Members.  The issue is ongoing since 2016 and the situation is deteriorating.   The installation of an overflow pipe would mitigate the flooding. The Environment in and around the Lough is now destroyed. Action needs to be taken.

Cllr. T Ward also received representation in relation to speed on the old Tuam Rd.  However, he did not support the installation of speed ramps and suggested a Garda presence and better signage will slow down the traffic.

Cllr. T Ward proposed to writing to the Superintendent in relation to the speed on old Tuam Rd, as the road is for residential use not a through road.

Cllr. T Ward supported Cllr J Naughten in relation to Bus Shelters and proposed writing to Bus Eireann in relation to the situation.

Cllr. T Ward supported Cllr L Fallon in relation to Lough Funshinagh, he said that he had raised this issue a number of times in the past.  The water levels are rising which is creating a major problem. There has been no answer as to the correct depth of the overflow pipe. He called on the Director of Services Liam Bergin, to come back with an answer as this issue won’t go away.

Cllr. I Connaughton asked the following in relation to Lough Funshinagh:

• Was funding offered previously when Boxer Moran was Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works?
• What is the cost to date in relation to reports, pumps, and flood alleviation measures?
• Was there recent correspondence from the OPW in relation to Lough Funshinagh?

Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator stated that ORS were engaged to prepare a Stage 3, Safety Audit, of the Old Tuam Road.  Two speed checks were carried out along the route by means of the existing Speed Activated Signage on the route.

The recommend short term solution is to install road markings with the speed limit, regulatory signs and road markings at 2 Bus stops.

A Letter was sent to the Superintendent over the Athlone District in relation to the old Tuam Road a reply was received and will be read out during the correspondence item.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.20

·         10.20   Cllr. John Naughten- Completion date for the Appropriate Assessment on the New Tuam Road .

·         11.20   Cllr. Tony Ward – Funding for footpaths and public lighting on R362/L2018

There were two Notices of Motion for discussion

10.20   Notice of Motion:      Cllr John Naughten. 

That Roscommon County Council outline when the Appropriate Assessment on the New Tuam Road will be complete and provide a timetable of when works will commence as they are urgently required.

Response:

The preparation of the Appropriate Assessment for the R362 Bealnamulla/Monksland Upgrade is currently underway and is likely to be complete by Q4 2020. In the interim Roscommon County Council are advancing the Part 8 drawing & at this time we are unable to provide a timetable for the commencement of the works as it is subject to funding and may be delivered on a phased basis.

Cllr J Naughten welcomed progress in relation to assessment/drawings, but was unsatisfied with road safety issue which needs urgent attention. He thanked his colleagues for their support on this issue.

He proposed after assessment is completely to immediately send a letter to Minister in relation to safety issue at this location and get funding to complete Part 8 and get project finished.

On the PROPOSAL OF:  Cllr. J Naughten

            SECONDED BY:  Cllr. J Keogh

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED by all to send letter to Minister when assessment is completed in relation to safety issue and funding to complete Part 8.

11.20   Notice of Motion:      Cllr Tony Ward

‘I am calling on Roscommon County Council to provide the necessary funding to extend the footpaths and the public lighting on the R362 and on the L2018 and also rebuild 90 metres of a stone wall in the village of Curraghboy’

Response:

The proposed scheme was put forward for funding under the town and village renewal scheme 2020 by the regeneration unit of the Community and Enterprise Department a decision is due by the end of September 2020.

After a brief discussion it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED by all members that it was a worthwhile project and welcomed that an application for funding has gone in as a large amount of funding is needed to complete this project.

·         11.20   Cllr. John Naughten – Upgrade of Directional Signage on Junction L2025 to Taughmaconnell

·         12.20   Cllr. John Naughten – What measures are in place for Removal of Graffiti

·         13.20   Cllr. Tony Ward – Survey on the N61 Ganlys-Brigid’s GAA Centre completed yet.

·         14.20   Cllr. Tony Ward – Inclusion of Road L7555 on road programme for 2020

There were four questions received for noting

11.20   Question         Cllr John Naughten

That Roscommon County Council outline when the Directional signage will be upgraded on the Junctions off the L2025 Road to Taughmaconnell, as there are currently a number directional signs missing.

Response

Public Road LP 2025 was recently surveyed and a schedule of signs is currently being prepared.  The signs will be ordered and erected by the end of the 4^th quarter 2020.

12.20   Question         Cllr John Naughten:

That Roscommon County Council outline what measures are in place for dealing with the removal of Graffiti, as there are a number of areas in Monksland where this issue needs to be addressed.

Response

Cleaning of the Graffiti proved to be problematic and onerous.  It is proposed to paint the over the Graffiti by the end of the 4^th quarter 2020.

13.20 Question           Cllr Tony Ward

‘Can the Director of Services of Roscommon County Council please inform the meeting if the consultants that was appointed by TII to examine safety issues relating to the N61 from Ganley’s roundabout to the turn off for the L7554-0 for the St. Brigid’s GAA Centre and into the villages of Carrowmurragh-Purts and Moyvannon was that survey carried out and if it was, what are the results?’

Response

The inception meeting for the Athlone Regional Centre Area Based Transportation Assessment meeting was held on the 2^nd September.  A 12 months programme was discussed however due to the issues with travel patterns as a result of the current pandemic it is likely this may be extended to a 15 months programme. 

14.20 Question           Cllr Tony Ward

‘I would very much appreciate if Roscommon County Council could include the slip road L7555 in the surfacing programme for 2020. This stretch of road is approximately 0.6 in length and is situated off N61.   There are Five families who reside on it, and you have a 16 Teacher N.S and the Community centre and you also have a football pitch and the Parish Church at Ballybay, Kiltoom?’

Response

Members agreed the 2020 roads programme at the MD meeting held on the 27^th April 2020.  No additional money was received from the department of transport tourism and sport.  Regrettably it is not possible to add additional roads to the agreed 2020 roads programme.

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy.