The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Donal Kilduff welcomed everyone to the meeting via MS Teams.

On the   Proposal of:            Cllr John Keogh

              Seconded by:          Cllr Tony Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 8^th December, 2020.

Cllr J Naughten requested an update on any progress in the provision of roundabout  and commencement date for walking lane at Colaiste Ciaran

Cllr J Keogh requested costing of cycle lane from Crannagh to Cornafulla NS on The R446 and safety measures due to high volume of traffic. Also when would the lights be switched on on the Tuam Rd.

Paul Browne MD Co-ordinator said a roundabout is not being considered at this location.   The issue is cars are parked on the Drum road during drop off and collection times rather than using the parking and set down facilities provided by the school.

In relation to Cornafulla NS, suggested applying to Department of Transport for Low Cost Safety 2022 to enhance warning signage and road markings.

In relation to Public Lights on Old Tuam Road, we are waiting on a connection from the ESB , expect they would be connected in the near future.

1.21     Cllr.John Naughten     -Carry out a Traffic Count on Beagh Rd, Creagh, Ballinasloe

2.21     Cllr Tony Ward            -Extend Public lighting/Footpaths in Curraghboy Village

There were two Notice of Motions for discussion.

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

1.21     Notice of Motion:      Cllr John Naughten. 

“That Roscommon County Council carry out a traffic count on the Beagh Road, Creagh Ballinaloe with a view to providing a right turning lane, as it is currently a dangerous junction for motorists.   This road has significant number of residential properties and three businesses located on it.”

RCC will count the right turning movements at this location and decide if additional safety measures are required.

           On the Proposal of;   Cllr J Naughten

                     Seconded by:   Cllr D Kilduff

            It was unanimously supported by all members.

2.21     Notice of Motion:      Cllr Tony Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to extend the public lighting and footpaths in the village of Curraghboy in the interest of road safety.   I am also calling on the Council to provide a pedestrian crossing on the Local Road L2018 in the interest of safety for the children that attend Curraghboy National School.”

The Athlone Municipal District receives funding annually for the maintenance of existing infrastructure this does not include the provision of new footpaths, public lights and pedestrian crossings. 

The Town and Village Scheme is one of number of support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s ‘Rural Development Investment Programme’.   Expression of interest should be sent to the Senior Executive officer in the Regeneration Unit of the Community of Enterprise Section, Roscommon County Council.

Other revenue streams available to schools and community groups are Clár and Community Involvement Scheme’s respectively.  However, the foregoing requires match funding. 

            On the Proposal of;     Cllr T Ward

              Seconded By:              Cllr D Kilduff

            It was UNANIMOUSLY supported by all members

Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer gave a short presentation on the actions Roscommon County Council can take to help pollinators and support the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Athlone MD Members agreed to commit to implementing one action in 2021 by reducing the frequency of mowing in an area of Monksland, Athlone. Signage will be sent up and she requested that they be put up at the designated site.

Councillors thanked her for her presentation and agreed to endorse her proposals.

1.21     Cllr John Naughten     - Provision of a Pedestrian Crossing in Ballyforan Village

2.21     Cllr John Naughten     -Progress report on the provision of Bus Shelters in Monksland/Bealnamulla area.

3.21     Cllr Tony Ward            -Update on his Notice of Motion for compensation to farmers effected by flooding from Lough Funshinagh.

4.21     Cllr Tony Ward            -Update on commence date for safety works due to be carried out on L2018/0 at Carrowphadeen

There were four Questions for noting.

1.21     Question –Cllr. John Naughten

Can Roscommon County Council provide a Pedestrian Crossing in Ballyforan Village, to improve safety for people crossing from carpark to the Ballyforan N.S. and St. Aidan’s GAA pitch.?

A Community Involvement Scheme; which was joint venture approach between the Council and Ballyforan Tidy Towns committee was completed in 2020 which saw the construction of parking bays, footway and public lights.  A pedestrian crossing was not planned for this phase of the works.   Currently the committee’s resources are focused on a greenway.

The National School may apply for a Clár funding but this requires match funding by the school. 

2.21     Question – Cllr. John Naughten

Can Roscommon County Council provide a progress report on the provision of Bus Shelters in the Monksland/Bealnamulla area?

A scheduled meeting with the National Transport Authority was cancelled due the Covid restrictions.  The meeting will be reorganized when it is safe to do so.

3.21     Question – Cllr. Tony Ward

Can the Director of Services inform the meeting if he has received any reply from the Government or the Ministers in response to the Notice of Motion that I had on the agenda of the December meeting, whereby I called on them to provide the necessary compensation to the farmers that are affected by the flooding of Lough Funshinagh since 2015.   Has there been any update in relation to this issue from the Government?.

Correspondence was sent to the Minister for Finance: Mr. Paschal Donohoe and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mr. Charlie McConalogue to request the provision of compensation to the farmers affected by the ongoing flooding at Lough Funshinagh. on the 12^th January 2021

Minister Donohoe acknowledge receipt of the correspondence.

No reply was received from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

4.21     Question -  Cllr. Tony Ward

Can the Director of Services inform the meeting of when the safety works are due to be carried out on the L20081/0 at Carrowphadeen?.   There is an extremely dangerous bend on this very narrow road and there are eight families who reside on it.   There is quite a lot of traffic on this road as it leads out onto the N61.   The landowner has stated that he is willing to co-operate with Roscommon County Council in order to widen the road at this location.  

Funding was received from the Department of Transport for two roads the R368 and LP2047 under 2021 Safety Improvement works for on regional and local roads.  Unfortunately, no funding was received for the L2008 at Carrowphadeen.

On the Proposal of:  Cllr J Naughten

          Seconded by:  Cllr T Ward

The Draft Athlone MD Road Works Scheme 2021 which was presented to the elected members by Paul Browne MD Co-ordinator, was approved and supported by all elected members. They thanked him and all involved in the preparation of the programme.

Cllr J Naughten raised question regarding recouping discretionary money used for the emergency works at lough Funshinagh from OPW.

The Greenway Athlone – Galway got Funding of 110k the project Liasion Officer appointed is David Carty.

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy.

There were no correspondences for noting

 A discussion took place in relation to the flooding at Lough Funshinagh and it was agreed by all that continuous flood relief measures would stay in place for as long as needed. They were also in agreement that a solution had to be found.

On the Proposal of:  Cllr I Connaughton

          Seconded by:  Cllr. J Keogh

It was agreed by all members to write to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ask if the National Parks and Wildlife Service have an objection with pumping water from Lough Funshinagh to Lough Ree/River Shannon