There were no declarations of Interest from the members.

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 14^th September, 2021

·         Minutes of Budget Meeting held on 21^st October, 2021

The Cathaoirleach Laurence Fallon welcomed everyone to the meeting Via MS teams.

On the Proposal of: Cllr. J Naughten

         Seconded by: Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on the 14^th September, 2021.

On the Proposal of: Cllr. T Ward

         Seconded by: Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Budget Meeting held on 21^st October, 2021.

Cllr.J Naughten asked for an update on the Bus Shelters and Speed Ramps for Monksland.

Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator informed the members that civil works are underway on one of the shelters adjacent to the MD office, the other three shelters are scheduled to be completed by the end of Q4 2022. The speed table at the Mt William junction is substantially completed, it is hoped the other speed table will be completed in the near future, however we are awaiting confirmation from the appointed contractor on the matter.

Members were delighted to see that progress is being made, they agreed that it will need to be reviewed at a later stage with regards to installing more ramps and speed tables to further reduce speed on this road.

Cllr. J Naughten said the presentation given by John Mockler SE roads at the meeting held on 21^st October, 2021 in relation to parking issues at Cloonakilla NS, was a move in right direction and asked if Part 8 was on target for early 2022.

Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator informed the members that a Safety Audit Report is imminent and once approved the other statuary processes would commence. In the meantime, he would seek funding to provide a closed drainage scheme to alleviate the surface water ponding issue on the R362 adjacent to the houses.

Correspondence received back from TII in relation to appointment of representatives to their board in 15^th November 2021

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Keogh

         Seconded by:  Cllr L Fallon

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Transport asking for a review of legislation in relation to appointments to the Board of TII. TII has no elected representatives on the board

There were two items of correspondence for discussion

The Members were disappointed with the reply from the Minister of Agriculture in relation to funding for the farmers affected by Lough Funshinagh flooding.

Caitlín Conneely, A/Director of Services informed the members that the focus at present is on emergency works with additional crew added to expedite the works.

Members acknowledged the ongoing works of Roscommon County Council.

The members expressed their dissatisfaction with the reply from TII in relation to their request for a meeting to highlight and discuss the safety issues on the N61.

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by: Cllr D Kilduff

It was AGREED that Cathaoirleach Laurence Fallon put forward this proposal at the next Plenary meeting, signed by all MD elected members requesting a meeting with the TII and for members of the Athlone MD attend it.

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Keogh

         Seconded by: Cllr D Kilduff

It was AGREED that the Executive consider if the Council could write to the Council solicitor for his legal advice on the refusal of TII to meet with the Athlone Municipal District elected members in relation to N61.

Cllr L Fallon asked Caitlín Conneely A/Director of Services to look into this.

There were three Notice of Motions for discussion.

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

Parking facilities at Cushla Pitches, Monksland, Athlone

“That Roscommon County Council increase the parking at the Cushla Pitches, Monksland, Athlone to cater for large numbers using the facilities on a daily basis.”

“That Roscommon County Council increase the parking at the Cushla Pitches, Monksland, Athlone to cater for large numbers using the facilities on a daily basis.”

Reply:

The NOM raises the parking issue at the Cushla Pitches, unfortunately RCC have no funding stream available to provide the additional parking required.  However, funding may be available through the Roscommon LEADER Partnership.  Public parking is available nearby at the Civic Offices.  

The Motion was supported by all the Members.

Cllr. J Naughten suggested providing a hard stand area along the grass verge. Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator expressed his concerns in relation to carrying out excavation works to the embankment which contains boundary walls, fuel tanks, sheds and other services.  He suggested utilizing the gated hard stand area adjacent to Astroturf pitch for car parking.  Cllr. J Keogh said the parking is a safety issue and suggested seeking funding under a low cost safety scheme.  Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator said that he would put a proposal forward to the department for their consideration in 2023.

Playground facilities at Brideswell/Curraghboy area.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to install playground facilities in the Brideswell/Curraghboy area.   This will provide a much needed amenity for children and families in the immediate and wider area.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to install playground facilities in the Brideswell/Curraghboy area. This will provide a much needed amenity for children and families in the immediate and wider area.”

Reply:

Roscommon County Council has no plans to install playground facilities in the Brideswell/Curraghboy area. 

Funding may be available to community groups under the annual CLÁR programme (Measure 2) which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas. The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is delivered by local authorities in consultation with groups in local communities.   Under the 2021 CLÁR programme, the maximum level of funding for any individual project was €50,000 and grant-funding was at a rate of 90% of total project costs. The terms and conditions of this scheme are subject to annual review. There is significant demand for funding under this scheme and not all projects receive approval.   The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2021 scheme was 15^th April 2021.

There is a significant level of commitment and planning required from any community group proposing to provide a playground facility and many issues to consider. A comprehensive feasibility study that identifies and demonstrates a genuine need for the facility, coupled with a business plan that outlines the plans for the ongoing funding, maintenance and management of the playground would be required. The availability of suitable land in the identified area would also be required.

The Motion was supported by all members.

Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator to check with Assets Department to identify Council owned land in the area and also what funding streams are available to facilitate the community group to carry out a feasibility study.  Cllr. J Keogh said that there may be an opportunity in relation to contractors developing land in Brideswell and this would be an avenue worth exploring also.

On the Proposal of: Cllr D Kilduff

         Seconded by: Cllr T Ward

It was AGREED by the members, requesting that the Council look at Road Marking “Slow School Ahead” approaching the Pre-School in Brideswell early in 2022. 

Dangerous Bend at Cam, Brideswell on the R363

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council and the TII to remove a very dangerous bend on the Regional Road R363 at Cam, Brideswell, Athlone

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council and the TII to remove a very dangerous bend on the Regional Road R363 at Cam, Brideswell, Athlone.”

Reply:

RCC will apply for a Low Cost Safety Scheme in 2023 to the Department of Transport to remove the bend, subject to a land agreement being in place. 

Please note the Transport Infrastructure Ireland no longer has a function in relation to roads adjacent to Cam, Brideswell, Athlone. 

The Motion was supported by all members.

Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator will put a proposal forward to the Department for their consideration in 2023.

There were three questions for noting.

Safety Issues on the N61 

“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 Ganly’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 Moyvannion?  Has there been any further update in relation to this issue?.”

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 Ganly’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 Moyvannion?  Has there been any further update in relation to this issue?.”

Reply:

The Covid pandemic has hindered the progress of the ‘Athlone Area Based Transport Assessment’ to date.  It was hoped the draft report would be finalised by September 2022.  However, TII have issued an advice note on Transport Model Development during COVID, and the impact that this has on the Traffic Survey Data Collection commencement date for the Athlone ABTA.  In summary the note recommends that no new survey data should be collected, unless absolutely necessary, until such a time as the government lifts the ‘working from home’ guidance and traffic has stabilized to a ‘new normal’. Unfortunately, the ABTA will be delayed until a decision is made in relation to the traffic counts. 

Regional Road R362

“Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting what is the hold up in carrying out the necessary works at Cloonakilla NS.?  The road needs to be resurfaced with the installation of footpaths, a Pedestrian Crossing and a roundabout at this location.   How many times have Roscommon County Council applied for Capital Funding to the Government to have these works completed?   This issue is ongoing since 2009.”

“Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting what is the hold up in carrying out the necessary works at Cloonakilla NS.?  The road needs to be resurfaced with the installation of footpaths, and a Pedestrian Crossing and a roundabout at this location.   How many times have Roscommon County Council applied for Capital Funding to the Government to have these works completed?   This issue is ongoing since 2009.”

Reply:

The above was discussed in detail at the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on the 21^st October 2022.

Footpaths on the R446 Drum Rd- Summerhill Business Park

“That Roscommon County Council submit an application under Active Travel for the provision of footpaths on the R446, from the Drum Road junction to Summerhill Business Park.   This would help reduce speed and improve safety for pedestrians.”

“That Roscommon County Council submit an application under Active Travel for the provision of footpaths on the R446, from the Drum Road junction to Summerhill Business Park.   This would help reduce speed and improve safety for pedestrians.”

Reply:

RCC will submit an application in 2022 for the provision of a footpath as detailed above to the National Transport Authority under the multi-annual active travel investment programme.

On the Proposal of: Cllr. T Ward

         Seconded by: Cllr. L Fallon

It was AGREED to honour Siobhan Treacy, Mount Talbot, Roscommon by way of a Civic Reception. Siobhan won the delayed 2020   60 x 30 Girls U17 All Ireland Handball title against Kilkenny Lauren Power.

Cllr. J Naughten looked for an update on the Active Travel Measure Scheme for Creagh, Ballinasloe when footpaths and public lighting will be completed.

Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator informed the members that this work is under the remit of Active Travel Unit, work is due to commence before Christmas with a completion timeline of 3 months.

Cllr. J Keogh suggested providing a temporary footpath with broken stone from Cloonakilla NS to the Soccer pitch.  Paul Browne, A/MD Co-Ordinator expressed his concerns with using broken stone, potential risk of a slip/trip hazard for users.  He said that he would ask the active travel unit to include the footpath proposal in the 2022 applications for funding to the NTA.