·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District held on 15^th June, 2020;

·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Annual Meeting held on 15^th June, 2020.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting

It was noted that the meeting was held in accordance with Government Guidelines in relation to social/physical distancing.

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr. J Keogh

           SECONDED BY:        Cllr. I Connaughton

It was Agreed to adopt the minutes of Athlone Municipal District Meeting held on Monday 15^th June, 2020 at 2.30pm

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr. T Ward

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr. J Keogh

It was Agreed to adopt the minutes of Athlone Municipal District Annual Meeting held on Monday 15^th June, 2020 at 4.00pm.

Cllr. T Ward acknowledged works in progress in Creagh, he welcomed the funding of 100k from village/town renewal scheme received to carry out works there. He also hoped that next round of village/town renewal funding will allocate to South Roscommon area as they have been left out over last few years as funding went to towns. Application for Curraghboy Village has been put forward by him.

Cllr.J Naughten – said they had met with community groups and   it was a successful positive development for Creagh and Town which will improve safety.  He acknowledged the generous support of Dolan family, Dolans Filling Station who put in significant amount of funding to enable project to go ahead.

Cllr. J Naughten raised issue about maintenance at Daneshill roundabout which has not been maintained. Suggested writing to Minister Office to undertake carrying out of work contract if no progress has been made by next meeting.

Cllr. J Keogh Supported Creagh Project he too had engaged with community groups and was delighted to see the project starting.

Cllr J Keogh suggested that in relation to Cllr J Naughten recommendation that if a response was not received within one month of the date of issues of the letter to the TII, then, a letter should be sent to the Minister in relation to Daneshill.

Paul Browne A/SEE said he had sent a second letter and was waiting on a response from TII.

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr J Naughten

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr J Keogh

It was UNANIMOUSLY agreed that if no response from The TII within the one-month timeline, a letter should then be sent to the Minister.

Cllr I Connaughton welcomed news on funding for Creagh important for community and local area. He also thanked Roscommon County Council for prompt solving of Sluice gates at Athleague.

Cllr I Connaughton acknowledged sending correspondence by email is more accountable and allows a faster timeframe for replies, going forward this should be the main form of communication, which was agreed by all members.

Cllr T Ward raised issue that TII were to carry out Survey promised in 2019 from Ganlys to Brigid’s GAA Club junction on Roscommon Rd which is still not completed. No right turning lane into Purts.  He wants letter to be sent to the TII again and put pressure on them to deal with issue and action to employ consultants, with timeframe of when the survey will be completed.

Paul Browne A/MD Coordinator[SG1]  said Westmeath County Council and Roscommon County Council have engaged consultants to prepare an Athlone Regional Centre Area Based Transportation Assessment which includes the junctions on the N61 between Ganlys and the L7556/L7554.  An inception meeting is scheduled and he will raise the members concerns in relation to the junctions at the meetng.

All members agreed that the delay in relation to survey on N61 was unacceptable. Although it is positive to hear consultants were appointed, there is a need to progress this due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.20

·         9.20     - Cllr John Naughten – Speed Ramps on the Old Tuam Rd

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

“That Roscommon County Council install speed ramps on the Old Tuam Road as the current measures are not adequate to address the speeding issue on this residential road.”

Response:

Driver feedback speed signs were installed on LP2047 sometime ago.   The speed limit on the road is 50KMPH, also an omnibus service operates.  There are a number of disadvantages with speed ramps for example damage to vehicles, noise pollution and speeding between ramps.   Accordingly, the Executive do not recommend speed ramps on the LP2047.   Traffic speed control is the responsibility of An Garda Siochána.   The Executive will inform the JPC of the members concern in relation to speeding on LP2047.

Cllr. J Naughten expressed his disappointment with response as there is ongoing requests from Residents.   He proposed going back to the Executive in interest of residences safety.

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr. J Naughten

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr. J Keogh

It was UNANIMOUSLY agreed to go back to the Executive to reconsider road safety measures in the interest of the Residents.

Cllr. J Keogh said that the whole design of new Tuam road was to reduce volume of traffic on old Tuam Rd. That there should be more than one pedestrian crossing on old Tuam Rd.

Cllr T Ward suggested looking at Garda Presence to enforce the speed limit and also look into the possibility of speed camera being put in Place

Cllr I Connaughton enquired if the speed limit could be lowered and if permanent speed cameras could be put in to monitor traffic.

Paul Brown A/MD Coordinator stated that it would be best to have a Strategic Traffic Safety Audit carried out and act on the recommendations from that.  Paul will talk to road section to request it be carried out as a matter of urgency. He also agreed to contact An Garda Siochána to have a greater presence in the area.

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr I Connaughton

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr J Keogh

It was UNANIMOUSLY agreed to request that the speed limit on Old Tuam Rd be reduced and also more pedestrian crossings be put in place especially near Community Centre and Pitches.

·         9.20     - Cllr. John Naughten – CPO completion date for Roundabout at Taughmaconnell/Bealnamulla Junction.

·         10.20   - Cllr. John Naughten – Timetable for landscaping at Council Depot Daneshill.

There were two questions received for noting.

“That Roscommon County Council detail when the CPO process will be complete on the land required for a roundabout at the Taughmaconnell Road Junction –Bealnamulla, Athlone.”

Response:

Currently a consultant is engaged to carry out an appropriate assessment screening report of the proposed scheme.  Following this an application for approval with be submitted to An Bord Pleanála under 177AE of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (Appropriate Assessment).

If approved the proposed scheme will undergo the planning procedure as set out in Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

All of the above must be approved and completed before a CPO or land agreement process can commence.

“That Roscommon County Council provide a timetable for landscaping at the Council Depot opposite the Danes Hill Roundabout.”

Response:

The N6 Exit 13 link road cannot be effectively screened until the remainder of the land adjacent is filled to road level.   It is proposed to fill a section with suitable soil and plant later this year.   If the planting is successful it is proposed to complete the hedging progressively over a number of years.

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy.

There were three correspondences for discussion.

LIS Reply from the Department in relation to Eligibility for LIS scheme

Correspondence letter circulated to all members.

OPW reply - declining invitation to meet elected members of Athlone MD at Lough Funshinagh

Correspondence letter circulated to all members.

On the PROPOSAL OF:        Cllr I Connaughton

            SECONDED BY:       Cllr J Naughten

It was UNANIMOUSLY agreed by all members that it was unacceptable for the OPW not to meet the members of Athlone MD. Following a discussion, it was agreed to refer the matter to the next Plenary Meeting.

NTA reply in relation to erection of Bus Shelters at Bus Stops.

Correspondence was circulated to all members

Members questioned if there was funding available could it be availed of and get started with erecting most urgent needed Bus Shelters.

Paul Browne A/MD Coordinator to follow up with Senior Engineer of Roads on availability of funding and criteria to avail of it.

Cllr J Naughten raised issue about reporting facility on Roscommon Website. When item is logged get an acknowledgement and two days later told case is closed. Should the case be closed on system if works have not yet been carried out.

Paul Browne A/MD Coordinator replied that when a complaint is logged and subsequently closed out it goes on the schedule of works to be carried out with a specified timeframe.

Pat Murtagh requested that members inform the Chair in advance of any AOB in order that Roscommon County Council have time to reply, also if discussion of another member’s question could be kept to a minimum in light of Covid 19 strict rules on meeting timeframe.

It was agreed by members to give notice of 24hours in advance for AOB unless something urgent arises. Also agreed that an answer to an AOB is not expected until next meeting.

Next meeting in on 15^th September, 2020