No disclosures

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

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. J Naughten welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of: Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

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

• Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3

Declaration of public road within the housing development at Unnamed, Barrymore, Athlone

Section 11 (2) (B) OF THE Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2.

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3. Declaration of public road with the housing development at Unnamed Housing Development, Barrymore, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

On the Proposal of: Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by: Cllr D Kilduff

It was AGREED by Members to have the road located within the Unnamed Housing Development, BARRYMORE, Athlone, Co. Roscommon be declared to be a public road.

Members requested that the next MD Meeting in March be held at 10.30am

Cllr J Naughten asked if a response was received from the Minister in relation to the request for funding to raise the Clonown Road.

Paul Browne A/ Co-Ordinator Athlone MD informed the Members that he received an acknowledgement of receipt of his email and that it was referred to Minister for Housing and Local Government for review.

Cllr J Naughten also inquired if there was a reply from TII in relation to email sent requesting them to look at Rest Areas along the M6 from Athlone to Galway as a matter of urgency. No reply was received from the TII.

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by: Cllr T Ward

It was AGREED by all Members to send another letter in relation to this matter.

No Correspondence for discussion

Two Notice of Motions for discussion

“That Roscommon County Council write to the National Transport Authority requesting them to prioritise Cornafulla NS for funding under the Safe Schools Programme, as there are currently significant safety issues at this location.”

“That Roscommon County Council write to the National Transport Authority requesting them to prioritise Cornafulla NS for funding under the Safe Schools Programme, as there are currently significant safety issues at this location.”

Reply

The infrastructure office with An Taisce whom is over Safe Routes to Schools informed me that the selection for the Round 2 schools has taken place and no further schools will be rolled in at this time.  Cornafulla National School did apply to the SRTS scheme and are on the subsequent list at present.

I have forwarded the NOM to Tom McDermott whom is RCC’s point of contact in relation to Safe Routes to Schools.

Members expressed safety concerns outside Cornafulla NS and also around all schools in County Roscommon.

Cllr J Keogh inquired if there was any update from SPC with regards to changing of the Bylaw to enable the reduction of speed limits adjacent to schools.

Paul Browne A/Co-Ordinator said that he would ask the Roads SPC for an update. He said that three schools in Roscommon that are selected for the safe routes to school schemes are Scoil na nAingeal Naofa, Boyle, St Attracta’s NS, Ballaghadereen, and St Michaels & St Patricks NS, Clegna, Cootehall, Boyle.

            On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Naughten

                     Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

Cllr J Naughten Proposed sending a letter to Plenary Council requesting them to write to the Minister asking him to intervene and instruct TII to accept the Members request to reduce speed limits at locations around schools in the County. This motion was supported by all Members.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr D Kilduff

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

It was AGREED by all Members to also send a letter to the Minister of Environment.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council in conjunction with Westmeath County

Council, to provide public lighting and footpaths on the 1km stretch of road from Newtowncarberry, Baylough to Athlone.   In the interest of road safety there are twenty-one families who reside on this road and it is also used by the members of St. Peters Soccer Club as well as landowners who use it to gain access to their land.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council in conjunction with Westmeath County

Council, to provide public lighting and footpaths on the 1km stretch of road from Newtowncarberry, Baylough to Athlone.   In the interest of road safety there are twenty-one families who reside on this road and it is also used by the members of St. Peter’s Soccer Club as well as landowners who use it to gain access to their land.”

Reply:

In relation to the above the Active Travel Unit note Cllr Ward’s request and will explore the feasibility of delivering same. Members should note that the delivery of such schemes are subject to available funding and resources.

On the Proposal of: Cllr T Ward

           Seconded by: Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by all Members to send a letter to Westmeath County Council and also to Athlone MD, Athlone requesting a meeting with Athlone MD, Roscommon to agree a programme of works for this area bordering both Councils.  Cllr J Naughten agreed that he will also raise this issue with the Chair of Athlone MD. Athlone.

On the Proposal of: Cllr T Ward

          Seconded by:  Cllr D Kilduff

It was AGREED by all Members if this programme of works cannot be agreed, that Roscommon County Council look at Active Travel measures in order to carry out works on the Roscommon side.

Four Questions for Noting

“That Roscommon County Council undertake a review of the current speed limit on the L- 2043 as it is not set at an appropriate level. This road services Padraig Pearses GAA Grounds which involves significant volumes of traffic using the road on a daily basis, the speed limit needs to be reduced as it would improve safety for all road users. “

“That Roscommon County Council undertake a review of the current speed limit on the L-2043 as it is not set at an appropriate level. This road services Padraig Pearses GAA Grounds which involves significant volumes of traffic using the road on daily basis, the speed limit needs to be reduced as it would improve safety for all road users. “

Reply:

Following a statutory process, the County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits Regional and Local Roads) Bye-Laws 2020 were adopted by the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council in September 2019 and became effective from 1^st February 2020.

Roscommon County Council Road Safety Office actively works with the RSA and An Garda Siochana in promoting Road Safety and this stretch of road will be highlighted to the Gardai for increased observation and enforcement on those who do not comply with the speed limits.

The Council reminds all drivers to only drive within the necessary speed limits, but also at speeds that are appropriate to the conditions. Drivers should always be aware that speed limits are not a target! Drivers who ignore speed limits put themselves and others at great risk.

“That Roscommon County Council provide IPB funding in 2023 to the Athlone Municipal District, to carry out footpath repair and replacement in a number of older estates in the Monksland area, as some paths are currently in a very poor condition.”

“That Roscommon County Council provide IPB funding in 2023 to the Athlone Municipal District. To carry out footpath repair and replacement in a number of older estates in the Monksland area, as some paths are currently in a very poor condition.”

Reply:

It is intended to carry out ‘IPB’ work in the Athlone MD this year, a review of locations in line with the funding principles will be carried out in Q2 as the programme of work continues throughout the county.  IPB Funding will also be provided to the MD to undertake works by direct labour in Q1.

“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:

Roughan O’Donovan Consultants have been appointed to undertake a study of the N61 between Roscommon Town and Athlone in order to document the deficiencies of the existing route and prepare an Improvement Strategy for this section of the N61.

It includes the section of the N61 from Ganly’s roundabout to St. Brigid’s GAA. We anticipate a draft report by the end of February.

“Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting what is the hold up 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?  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 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?  This issue is ongoing since 2009.

Reply:

·         Part 8 was approved in November 2022.

·         Detailed design is due to commence shortly following agreement of a fee proposal with the consultant.

·         The aim is to have the project completed by September 2023.

·         Roads & Transportation unit are working on securing funding for the works.

One Civic Reception Requested

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Paul Kelly and Glen Walsh on winning the Master B All Ireland Handball Doubles final.”

  “I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Paul Kelly and Glen Walsh on winning the Master B All Ireland Handball Doubles Final”.

On the Proposal of: Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

It was AGREED to honour the Roscommon Handball Team on winning the Master B All Ireland Final at the next Civic Reception.

No votes of Congratulations/Sympathy