There were no declaration of interest from the members.

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 22^nd March, 2022.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr L Fallon welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on the 22^nd March, 2022.

4.1

Cllr. J Naughten requested an update on the progress of Part 8 for Cloonakilla NS, interim measures that could be taken for road safety and also what is the timeframe around funding.  This was supported by all members.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator informed Members;

“Roscommon County Council will very shortly publish a Part 8 process for the construction of a Pedestrian Crossing, Roundabout, footpath extension and ancillary works adjacent to Cloonakilla National School. Once the scheme has advanced through the consent stage the project will be submitted to the National Transport Authority for appropriate funding under the Active Travel Scheme, detailed design will commence and a contractor will be procured to deliver the scheme. “

In the meantime Paul Browne will be in contact with the school as an interim measure to suggest staggering drop off and collection times

4.2

Cllr. J Naughten also raised the issue of the TII refusing to meet Municipal District members, but acknowledged that Plenary have secured a meeting with them to raise the issue of road safety along the N61.

Members of Athlone MD, Director of Services, Senior Engineer Roads and the Cathaoirleach  of Plenary will attend. Agenda items agreed as follows:

N61:

1.    Traffic Calming at Ballybay

2.    Short to Medium term solutions to improve safety for road users at the high number of junctions along the route.

3.    Current status of the N61 Ballybay to Knockcroghery road project.

4.    Long term solution for the N61 Athlone to Knockcroghery section.

5.    Linkages with/to the R362 & R446 to facilitate the growth and development of the Area.

N6 Athlone Relief Road (Dual Carriageway)

1.    Bypass of Athlone to motorway standard required.

2.    Capacity Issues with Junction 12 & 13.

Cllr. J Keogh also mentioned the condition of the culverts in lands around the motorway causing flooding, which were left in a poor state and this needs to be addressed by TII.

Members agreed that this issue will remain on Agenda until it is resolved.

There was one item of correspondence for discussion.

Correspondence from TII in relation to N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Road Scheme

On the Proposal of:   Cllr D Kilduff

           Seconded by: Cllr T Ward

Members were disappointed with the reply from TII. Cllr. D Kilduff suggested writing back and requesting that they complete the Design Phase and identify the lands required. This was supported by all members.

There were two Notice of Motions for discussion.

“That Roscommon County Council make a submission to the Department of Transport and the Department of Public Expenditure seeking funding to widen and raise the Athlone to Clonown road to ensure road users can have safe access to and from Athlone Town on a year round basis.”

“That Roscommon County Council make a submission to the Department of Transport and the Department of Public Expenditure seeking funding to widen and raise the Athlone to Clonown road to ensure road users can have safe access to and from Athlone Town on a year round basis.”

Response

Roscommon Local Primary Road L-2034 which is located south of Athlone Town, is not currently a priority road for significant improvement works and there are no plans to develop a large scheme to raise the road or investigate apparent safety concerns. We shall however meet with elected members to document their concerns regarding safety with a view to developing a series of smaller schemes that will tackle Climate Adaptation and Road Safety at a local level.  Members are reminded that all works along this route are subject to screening for Environmental Impacts due to the proximity of designated sites on either side of the route.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

           Seconded by: Cllr. J Naughten

Cllr. J Naughten thanked the Members for their support. He requested an assessment of costs on works proposed for the next MD meeting in July so that the Members can then seek funding from the Oireachtas. Cllr. L Fallon said that the information required be sought from John Mockler Senior Engineer Roads Dept. This is a major issue and concern for the residents that needs urgent attention.

This was supported by all the Members.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

The Members agreed that a letter needed to be sent to Westmeath County Council requesting notification of any proposed works that effects Roscommon County Council.   To also clarify what periodic closure on Clonown road entails. Members expressed dissatisfaction with notifications through Newspaper only.

Cllr. L Fallon noted that a letter had already gone to Westmeath County Council awaiting a reply.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Newtown Cross and to include it in the local safety improvement scheme for 2022.

This junction is situated on the Ardkeenan-Curraghaleen  road L2026-0.   On approaching the junction travelling from Drum road L2027-0 and upon turning right for Curraghaleen, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous.   I have spoken with the landowner, and he assured me that he is willing to co-operate with Roscommon County Council should they need to reposition the boundary fence.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Newtown Cross and to include it in the local safety improvement scheme for 2022.

This junction is situated on the Ardkeenan-Curraghaleen road L2026-0.   On approaching the junction travelling from Drum road L2027-0 and upon turning right for Curraghaleen, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous.   I have spoken with the landowner, and he assured me that he is willing to co-operate with Roscommon County Council should they need to reposition the boundary fence.”

Response

RCC will apply to the Department of Transport for funding under the Low Cost Safety Scheme 2023 to improve the visibility at this junction, subject to the required land agreement being in place.

This was supported by all the Members.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. D Kilduff

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Keogh

Cllr. D Kilduff commended on the great success of the Low Cost Safety Schemes and suggested looking for more funding under this scheme from the relevant Minister.

There were four nominations for Civic Reception taking place 21^st June, 2022

1.22                 Proposed by Cllr. T Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Kara Gallagher from Kiltoom, Athlone, Co.   Roscommon.  Who won the girls age 16 World Championships at the CRDM World Irish Dancing Championships at the next Civic Reception”

2.22                 Proposed by Cllr. T Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Aeron Moran, Monksland, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.   Who won the boys age 10-12 World Championships at the CRDM World Irish Dancing Championships at the next Civic Reception”

3.22                 Proposed by Cllr T Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour the Roscommon Ladies Gaelic Senior Football team who won the division 3 National League title in 2022.”

4.22                 Proposed by Cllr T Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour the Roscommon senior Gaelic football team who won the division 2 National League title in 2022“                         

It was AGREED by all members to honour all four nominations.

There were four questions for noting

“Can Roscommon County Council seek funding under the Active Travel Scheme, to have footpaths and lighting installed on the L7558-0 from the junction with the R363 to the end of the speed limit area as it is not currently up to an acceptable standard.”

“Can Roscommon County Council seek funding under the Active Travel Scheme, to have footpaths and lighting installed on the L7558-0 from the junction with the R363 to the end of the speed limit area as it is not currently up to an acceptable standard.”

Response:

The Roads Business Unit is engaging consultants to develop an active travel strategy for the R446 and the R363 Monksland.  I have requested the section of public road L7558-0, between the junction with the R363 to the speed limit be included in the study.  

“Can Roscommon County Council ensure adequate funding is made available for Verge Trimming of noxious weeds and grass over the summer months, particularly at junctions and bends on the local road network.”

“Can Roscommon County Council ensure adequate funding is made available for verge trimming of noxious weeds and grass over the summer months, particularly at junctions and bends on the local road network.”

Response:

The Athlone MD received funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the treatment of Invasive Alien Species 2022.  This funding will be used to treat Japanese Knotweed on the road network in the Athlone MD.

Roads maintenance budgets were agreed at previous meetings.  In accordance with Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, two tractors with verge trimmers will carry out only the minimum amount of hedge/verge trimming during the Closed Season (1^st March – 31^st August).

These areas shall be limited to

·         Around Signs,

·         At junctions for sightlines only,

·         Where clearance is required for planned Roadworks,

·         One swart/width on the verge of busy roads to allow people to stand in safely,

·         On dangerous bends where sightlines have been affected by growth.

“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?.”

Response:

The Covid pandemic hindered the progress of the ‘Athlone Area Based Transport Assessment’.  The draft report will be finalised by the end of August 2022.  

“Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting what is the delay in carrying out the necessary works at Cloonakilla N.S?.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, is the funding now in place?.This issue is ongoing since 2009.”

“Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting what is the delay in carrying out the necessary works at Cloonakilla N.S.?.   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, is the funding now in place?.   This issue is ongoing since 2009.”

Response

Roscommon County Council will very shortly publish a Part 8 process for the construction of a Pedestrian Crossing, Roundabout, footpath extension and ancillary works adjacent to Cloonakilla National School. Once the scheme has advanced through the consent stage the project will be submitted to the National Transport Authority for appropriate funding under the Active Travel Scheme, detailed design will commence and a contractor will be procured to deliver the scheme.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator informed the Members that three of the sixteen groups granted funding from MD Funding 2021 have drawn down their grant and the remaining groups have confirmed that they intend to avail of grant allocated to them.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. T Ward

          Seconded by:  Cllr J Keogh

Curraghboy tidy towns committee requested an extension of three months for grant allocated to them.

It was AGREED by all members that extension to MD funding grants will be reviewed case by case.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator gave an update to the Members on the Road Programme 2022;

·         Road Recycling – 7 out of 13 complete (54%).

·         Blacktop – 18 out of 26 complete (70%).

·         Overlay Contract due to start on the 7^th of June 2022.

·         Surface Dressing – Ongoing - weather dependant.

There were no votes of congratulations/sympathy

11.1

On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

Cllr. J Naughten raised issue again in connection with maintenance at Junction 13, first impressions formed of County Roscommon. The maintenance crew are cutting grass and overgrown weeds, but the shrubs and stones needs attention. He requested a letter to be sent to TII to request these works to be included in their routine Maintenance plan. Supported by all Members.

11.2

Cllr. J Naughten inquired about any funding available for repair to existing footpaths in Monksland area.

Paul Browne A/MD Co-Ordinator said he would inquire with Roads Dept. and revert back to the members.