Cllr. L Fallon welcomed everyone to the meeting and extended a warm welcome to Caitlín Connelly as the new Director of Athlone MD. All members expressed their congratulations to Caitlín on her new role and looked forward to working with her in the future.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. T Ward

          Seconded by:  Cllr. J Keogh

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone MD Meeting held on 27^th July, 2021.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone MD Funding Meeting held on 12^th August, 2021.

There were four issues raised by the Members.

Cllr. J Naughten enquired about the progress of the Bus Shelters in Monksland,

Paul Browne A/ MD Co-Ordinator informed the Members that Roscommon County Council has applied for a grant from the NTA for four shelters, Located Opposite Cloonakilla NS, Daneswell Park, Millbrook Ave and Beechlawn Drive. Subject to grant approval he hopes to deliver one by the end of 2021 and the remainder by the end of 2022. 

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr. John Keogh

Members agreed that roadworks needs to be carried out on the road at Cloonakilla NS, Bealnamulla in the immediate future and inquired what stage the CPO was at.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-ordinator informed Members that the high level design of all the lands under Roscommon County Council control in the general Monksland area including the R362 between the M6 and Cloonakilla NS is sometime away.

John Mockler Senior Engineer Roads and Paul Browne are meeting with the Principal of Cloonakilla NS on Thursday 16^th September, 2021 to discuss the interim design proposal. Hopefully a positive outcome will come from the meeting. It will then probably need to go through the Part 8 Process to progress the Scheme.

Cllr. D Kilduff stated that he wrote to Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, local Government and Heritage to amend the 1949 Act so County Councils will have the power to respond to Emergencies that arise. All the Members supported Cllr. Kilduff action.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by;   Cllr. T Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write again to the Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin, to request his intervention with the setting up of a scheme to aid the landowners affected by the unique situation at Lough Funshinagh.  The scheme should provide funding to replace fencing and return the land damaged by flood waters to agricultural use.   It was noted the majority of farms are low margin businesses and accordingly are not in a position to fund this work.

Correspondences requested from July 2021 meeting were sent to

TII in relation to N61, Minister of Agriculture and the Taoiseach in relation to Lough Funshinigh, CEO Roscommon Leadership Company in relation to re-opening of the Curraghboy Office.

One reply received only from TII on the 1^st September, 2021 included in the pack.

All Members expressed their disappointment with the response received from the TII in relation to the N61.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. D Kilduff

         Seconded by:   Cllr. T Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to request an “in camera meeting” with decision makers of TII, and to also request the Executive of the TII to visit the N61 at peak times to evaluate the problem that exists.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-ordinator said that a 1km section of the N61 between Kiltoom and the filling station is identified as a high collision location.  Roscommon County Council prepared a feasibility and options report, and requested funding for a road safety improvement scheme.  This is currently being reviewed by the TII.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to request that public representatives sit on the board to ensure democratic governance and that the decisions made represents the need of the people.   Cllr. Keogh also stated that a former councillor sitting on the board does not fulfil the role.

There was one Notice of Motion for discussion.

The following Notice of Motion and reply was read into the record and following, a brief discussion took place in relation to the following:

Verge Trimming in Athlone MD

“That Roscommon County Council hire in a number of additional verge trimming machines in the Athlone Municipal District over the coming months, to address the significant amount of overgrown verges in the area at present.”

“That Roscommon County Council hire in a number of additional verge trimming machines in the Athlone Municipal district over the coming months, to address the significant amount overgrown verges in the area at present.”

Reply

A traffic management company, two tractors and hedge cutters are currently hedge/verge trimming the National Secondary roads with Regional Roads to follow.   A third tractor and hedge cutter is maintaining the verges and hedges on the local road network. 

The Members expressed satisfaction with current verge/hedge trimming on the N61.   Cllr. Fallon asked if the TII was funding this?.   Paul Browne A/MD Co-ordinator said that the Athlone MD receives a maintenance budget from the TII for the National Secondary routes within the Municipal District and this is being used to fund the works on the N61 with the N63 to follow.   We also receive funding from the Department of Transport for the maintenance of regional roads and this will be used to fund the verge/hedge trimming on the regional roads.   Members highlighted the need for more hedge cutters on the local road network.   Paul Browne said we currently have three hedge cutters working in the Athlone MD, unfortunately due to limited budgets we cannot hire more.  

There were no request for Civic Receptions.

There were two questions for noting:

Maintenance of Roundabout at Daneshill

“Can Roscommon County Council write to TII informing them again of the poor condition of the Daneshill roundabout, where the shrub area is significantly overgrown with weeds.”

“Can Roscommon County Council write to TII informing them again of the poor condition of the Daneshill roundabout, where the shrub area is significantly overgrown with weeds.”

Response

Correspondence was sent to the Motorway Traffic Control Centre on the 1^st September 2021 in relation to the maintenance of the junctions (roundabouts)12 and 13 on the N6 at Monksland, Athlone West.

Speed issues on the Old Tuam Road.

“Can Roscommon County Council outline what measure are goingto be taken on the Old Tuam Road to address the high levels of speed taking place there on a daily basis, as local residents are very concerned over this issue.”

“Can Roscommon County Council outline what measures are going to be taken on the Old Tuam Road to address the high levels of speed taking place there on a daily basis, as local residents are very concerned over this issue.”

Response

Roscommon County Council has carried out a range of safety measures on the LP 2047 including the installation of two vehicle-activated signs, the marking of six number 50 KPH speed limit symbols on the carriageway and the provision of anti-skid surfacing at the pedestrian crossing.  Two number speed tables are to be installed by the end of Q4 2021.

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

Members enquired about the Cross Transport Report due date and hoped it would clarify the need for turning lanes on the N61 and roundabout at Summerhill on Drum road. This report has been delayed due to Covid and is now expected to be completed by September, 2022.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED that application for LCS scheme for Cornafulla NS to include upgrading of safety measures when it is submitted later this year.

Roscommon County Council agreed to do a litter pick along the N61 after Hedge trimming was completed.