·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Meeting on 15^th September, 2020;

·         Minutes of Special Meeting of Athlone Municipal District on 28^th September, 2020;

·         Minutes of Special “In Camera” Meeting of Athlone Municipal District on 21^st October, 2020;

·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Budget Meeting on 21^st October, 2020.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. 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. Laurance Fallon

           SECONDED by:     Cllr. Tony Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District held on 15^th September, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of;     Cllr. John Naughten

           SECONDED by;     Cllr. Tony Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Special Meeting of Athlone Municipal District on 28^th September, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of;     Cllr. John Keogh

           SECONDED by;     Cllr. Laurance Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Special “In Camera” Meeting of Athlone Municipal District on 21^st October, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of;     Cllr. John Naughten

           SECONDED by;     Cllr. Laurance Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Budget Meeting on 21^st October, 2020

Martin Lydon discussed the planning guidelines with the members in relation to Colaiste Ciaran, Summerhill and stated that a special contribution level €140,000 was paid in accordance with granting of their planning permission. Conditions attached to their planning permission require that a Traffic Management Plan is carried out and this is still outstanding at this time.

The Members thanked him for clarifying the position and noted that they were all in agreement that it was great to have a new school built on Roscommon side of Athlone, but that the issue of road safety at this point is a major concern and will need to be addressed by way of Pedestrian/Cyclist lanes, Pedestrian Crossings, Traffic Lights, and a Roundabout.

Paul Browne A/Co-Ordinator addressed questions from last Athlone MD Meeting

In relation to Monksfield Park: - Public Lights were repaired in the estate by Roscommon County Council recently. The planning permission for the public infrastructure has expired some time ago and enforcement is state barred.   Roscommon County Council will carry out inspection of the development and contact the developer and bondholder regarding the completion of the outstanding works.

Cllr. Tony Ward requested a road at Clonbulia be taken in charge by Roscommon County Council.  The 45meter long private road is to one house and farmyard.   The road does not meet the required criteria to be taken in charge.   However, the homeowner can apply for a Local Improvement Scheme.

Athleague Community Centre - works to the centre were delayed due to the Covid 19 lockdown, completion planned for March 2021, looking for funding extension of 6 months to June, 2021.

On the PROPOSAL of:     Cllr. Ivan Connaughton

           SECONDED by;    Cllr. Donal Kilduff

It was Agreed by members to request that the funding date be extended by 6 months to June, 2021.

On the PROPOSAL of;     Cllr. Tony Ward

           SECONDED by;    Cllr.  Laurance Fallon

It was AGREED by the members to change the date of next Athlone MD meeting to Tuesday 2^nd February, 2021.

Athlone Area Based Transportation Study briefing was presented by Andrew Archer from Systra to the Elected Members.    

Elected members welcomed the briefing and suggested the following:

Another exit/entrance onto the Motorway at Ballydangan.

Rail link developed.

More frequent and extended Bus services.

Look at alternate routes for traffic, developing link routes to avoid use of by pass.

Look at the N61 traffic issues. And also on the other roads connecting to Athlone.

Develop greenways/walkways/cycle routes.

Park and Go.

Traffic counts should reflect volumes prior to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic.

At the request of the members Systra agreed to give a follow up briefing on the Study by the end of the third quarter 2021.

Paul Browne A/Co-Ordinator related responses to correspondences

1.OPW- review of cost benefit value

 Reply: from David Devaney, Private Secretary to Minister Patrick O’Donovan of Office of Public Works, stating that he had forwarded our correspondence to the relevant section for substantive response and will revert when it is received.

2. Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communication and Transport – in relation to invitation to come down and meet members at Lough Funshinagh.

Reply:- as flooding falls under the remit of Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, they have forwarded our correspondence to their office for their attention and direct reply.

3. TII – in relation to maintenance of roundabouts at junction 12 and 13

Reply: TII has raised this matter with Colas Roadbridge JV, the Motorway Maintenance and Renewal Contractor for the area, who confirmed that they have programmed works, including litter picking, spraying and road sweeping, which are ongoing at this location this week 10^th November and next.

4. Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport – in relation to funding for roundabout at Summerhill on the R446

Reply: there has been no response to date.

12.20 – Cllr. John Naughten – Traffic assessment at Drum Rd junction R446;

13.20 – Cllr. John Keogh – Public water supplies at Killeglan and Lisbrock;

14.20 – Cllr. Tony Ward – Compensation for farmers - Lough Funshinagh

There were three Notice of Motions for discussion

The following Notice of Motions and reply was read into the record and following that a brief discussion took place in relation to below

12.20     Notice of Motion:            Cllr John Naughten. 

“That Roscommon County Council in conjunction with TII immediately undertake a traffic assessment at the Drum Road Junction on the R446, where there are significant traffic safety issues, particularly at school times due to the fact a new Secondary School has been constructed and propose possible solutions to this issue as a matter of urgency.”

Reply:

Presently at Coláiste Chiaráin a temporary one-way system and car parking arrangements are in operation.  All works are due to be completed by the end of February 2021.  A new car-park will be constructed to cater for 120 cars.  Also there will only be one vehicle entrance/exit and the old entrance will be closed off.  Additionally, there will be a pedestrian gate to the Drum Community Centre, which will allow for parents to park there if desired.  The issue at present is parents are not using the one-way system and parking on the road outside, leading traffic issues. The completion of the proposed works on the public road outside the gate should prevent parking on the main road. 

The speed limit on the section of the R446 adjacent to Coláiste Chiaráin is 60 KPH.  An Garda Síochána is responsible for enforcing road traffic legislation to ensure that citizens comply with speed limits.

Roscommon County Council have applied for funding in 2021 for overlay and road markings works under the Former National Road Rehabilitation Grant for the section of the R446 adjacent to Coláiste Chiaráin.

13.20     Notice of Motion:            Cllr John Keogh

“That the Executive of Roscommon County Council commission independent analysis of the two public water supplies at Killeglan and Lisbrock which are servicing the Monksland and Bealnamulla areas and South Roscommon areas in general, in circumstances where the water supplied has a white cloudy appearance and an odour and in circumstances where there the water supply would appear to be affecting some animal health”

Reply:

Since January 2014 the production of water and the Quality and compliance of the water produced is the responsibility of Irish Water, and representations regarding the water and its quality should be submitted to Irish Water through their Customer Services.   Both of the South Roscommon Water Treatment Plants are managed and operated under DBO contracts by Glan Agua for Irish Water.   The DBO Contractor Issues Monthly Status Reports (MSRs) and the water is independently tested by Roscommon County Council.   Latest tests and MSRs indicate that the water being supplied from Killeglan and Lisbrock are in compliance.   Monitoring of compliance is carried out through Quarterly Compliance Meetings which are attended by Roscommon County Council, HSE, Irish Water and the EPA.   There was a recent repair carried out in Monksland and some extraneous materials may have entered the line, and some air may also have become trapped.  The lines  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.20

15.20 – Cllr. John Naughten - Creagh Sewerage Scheme

16.20 – Cllr. John Naughten - Science and Innovation Hub, Monksland

17.20 – Cllr. Tony Ward - Safety Issue on L75554-0

18.20 – Cllr. Tony Ward - Funding at Cloonakilla NS, Bealnamulla

There were four Questions for noting

15.20     Question –Cllr. John Naughten

Can Roscommon County Council pursue the Contractor for the substandard work carried out to reinstate the road following the pipe laying process associated with the Creagh Sewerage Scheme.

Reply

This sewer pipe, laid as part of the Creagh Sewerage Works, was competed in 2012. Thus the Defects period for the Contract has long expired and, consequently, there is no recourse to re-engaging the Contractor. Some re-paving work has been carried out by Roscommon County Council in November 2020 along the old N6, over the route of this sewer. Water Services and Roads will liaise in early 2021 with a view to co-operating in extending this re-paving work eastwards along the old N6.

16.20 Question – Cllr. John Naughten

Can Roscommon County Council give an update on the Science and Innovation when it will be complete.

Reply

A team of consultants have been appointed. The project is currently at Preliminary Design stage, it will then proceed to full design, tender and construction stage.

The total duration is expected to be 12 months.

17.20 Question – Cllr. Tony Ward

Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting if the consultants that were appointed by TII have examined the safety issues relating to the N61 from Ganlys roundabout to the turn off for the L7554-0 for the St. Brigid’s GAA Centre and into the villages of Carrowmurragh-Purts and Moyvannion?  Has there been any further update in relation to this?

Reply

SYSTRA Ltd, in association with J.B. Barry Transportation, have been commissioned by Westmeath County Council (in partnership with Roscommon County Council) to assist them in developing an Area Based Transport Assessment for the Regional Centre of Athlone Town.

Systra Ltd., is scheduled to give a briefing to the Elected Members of Athlone Municipal District, Roscommon County council on the 8^th December in relation to the Athlone Area Based Transportation Study. 

18.20     Question -  Cllr. Tony Ward

Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting if the funding is in place to carry out the necessary works at Clonakilla N.S.? The road needs to be resurfaced with the installation of footpaths, a Pedestrian Crossing and a roundabout at this location.   Will these works be completed in the first half of 2021? This issue is ongoing since 2009.

Reply

RCC in 2021 is planning to engage the services of a consultancy service to provide a detailed design for the improvement of the R362 between Cloonakilla NS and RCC Depot. This design will take into account foundation, drainage, services, footpaths, public lighting etc. and will be targeted to maximise road safety for vulnerable road users within the constraints of the budget and lands available to Roscommon County Council. The final scheme will be presented to the members of the Athlone Municipal District under Part 8 and soon after a tender will be completed for the construction of the entire scheme. It is anticipated that the scheme will be funded under a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.20

The Elected Members of Athlone Municipal District extended their deepest sympathy and condolences to the Creaven family on the sad passing of late Jimmy Creaven. He was a GSS in Athlone MD for almost twenty years before retiring in 2018. They thanked him for all the years of service and co-operation he extended always to them and to the public.

Paul Browne A/Co-Ordinator extended his condolences and the condolences of the staff of Roscommon County Council to the Creaven family on the sad passing of Jimmy Creaven. May he rest in peace.