No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on  31^st January, 2023

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 31^st January, 2023. 

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. D Kilduff

The Draft Athlone MD Road Works Programme 2023 was presented to the Elected Members. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works allocated budget of €260,000, resulted in three projects being omitted. The MD Schedule of works including amendments was approved by all the Elected Members.  The Members thanked the staff involved in the preparation of the Programme

Members raised concerns in relation to a number of incidents on the R362, from the Junction with R363 at Ballymullavill to Rahara, verges have subsided below the road level due to the number of heavy vehicles travelling along this route.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

Members requested a traffic management plan to be carried out on the R362 Athlone to Rahara with a view to improving safety along this road.

Cllr. T Ward inquired if there was any reply from Westmeath County Council in relation to Newtowncarberry to St Peters FC Grounds 1km. This was answered under correspondence.

Cllr J Naughten inquired if TII had replied in relation to rest areas along the M6 Athlone to Galway, this also was answered under correspondence

Two Correspondence for discussion

TII replied to NOM Sept 22 in relation to number of rest areas on the M6 between Athlone and Galway. They provided information on existing rest areas (including online and offline facilities).

Members were unhappy with the reply and requested that Paul Browne, MD Co-Ordinator first check the link to see if there are any additional ones in it.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Naughten

           Seconded by:   Cllr. J Keogh

 Cllr J Naughten proposed writing to the Minister to intervene, to request TII to provide more rest areas along the M6 between Athlone and Galway and to investigate as to why some are closed with barriers.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Keogh

           Seconded by:   Cllr T Ward

Members agreed to write to TII again and ask for clarification of “Online and Offline facilities”, to explain the reason for some rest areas closed with barriers and to state that there is not an adequate number of rest areas available along this section of the M6 and they are requesting TII to add additional ones.

Jackie Finney, District Manager, MD District of Athlone-Moate, Westmeath County Council replied to NOM Jan 23 in relation to Newtonwcarberry to St Peters FC Grounds.

Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke raised this issue as a Notice of Motion at Athlone MD, Westmeath last meeting.   The Reply was “The District will engage directly with Roscommon County Council to agree measures to improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists.  Footpaths and lighting will be considered but may not be feasible in terms of cost benefit, given the narrowness of the road and the requirement to acquire third party lands.”

Four Notice of Motions for discussion

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to install traffic calming measure along the R363, in particular around the Cam and Brideswell areas due to the increasing number of road traffic accidents and collisions in the area.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to install traffic calming measure along the R363, in particular around the Cam and Brideswell areas due to the increasing number of road traffic accidents and collisions in the area.

Reply

Roscommon County Council will improve road signage where possible along this section of the R363.

Cllr. E kelly thanked the Members for their support. Members also requested that the Garda Speed Van have a presence in the area.

“That Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council calls on the Minister for Education to instruct the Department of Education to acquire lands adjoining Cloonakilla National School, Bealnamulla to allow for the development of field recreational facilities at the school so as to ensure safe play areas to promote a healthier lifestyle and  for current and future generations of students attending the school and to allow for the inevitable future expansion of the school in order to cater for projected increases in population in the area. “ 

“That Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council calls on the Minister for Education to instruct the Department of Education to acquire lands adjoining Cloonakilla National School, Bealnamulla to allow for the development of field recreational facilities at the school so as to ensure safe play areas to promote a healthier lifestyle and  for current and future generations of students attending the school and to allow for the inevitable future expansion of the school in order to cater for projected increases in population in the area. “ 

Reply

The above NOM requires a resolution by the members of the Athlone MD to write to the Minister for Education.

Cllr. J Keogh thanked the Members for their support. This facility is needed as the numbers of pupils will increase in the coming years. He is willing to speak with landowner if the Department will take up the opportunity to purchase lands around the School.

That Roscommon County Council increase the level of reflective signage on a number of bends between the Curraghboy Road Junction and Brideswell Village on the R363 where there have been a number of accidents recently. This will improve safety for motorist, who do not use the road on regular basis.

“That Roscommon County Council increase the level of reflective signage on a number of bends between the Curraghboy Road Junction and Brideswell Village on the R363 where there have been a number of accidents recently.  This will improve safety for motorist, who do not use the road on regular basis.” 

Reply

Roscommon County Council will improve road signage where possible along this section of the R363.

The Motion was supported by all the Members.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Curraghboy.  This junction is situated on the Curraghboy-Athlone road R362.  On approaching the junction travelling from Kilcar road no. L7542 and upon turning right for Athlone, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous. I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include this extremely dangerous junction in the local safety improvement scheme for 2023.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a very dangerous junction at Curraghboy.  This junction is situated on the Curraghboy-Athlone road R362.  On approaching the junction travelling from Kilcar road no. L7542 and upon turning right for Athlone, there is no visible view of oncoming traffic and this is extremely dangerous. I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include this extremely dangerous junction in the local safety improvement scheme for 2023.”

Reply:

RCC will apply to the Department of Transport for funding under the Low Cost Safety Scheme in 2024 to improve the visibility at this junction, subject to the required land agreement being in place.

The Motion was supported by all the Members, in the interim they requested if possible that a mirror be installed.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Naughten

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Keogh

It was proposed to contract Roads SPC with a proposal to set up a fund of €15,000/€20,000 per MD from the Property Tax, in order to address some of these dangerous bends.

Cllr. T Ward as Member of the Roads SPC to bring to their agenda Reduction of Speed Limits outside Schools in Roscommon.

No Civic Reception Request

Three Questions for noting.

When will roads, footpaths and public lighting services in Monksfield Estate, Bealnamulla be fully taken into charge by Roscommon County Council and when will the water in and water out services in the estate be taken in charge by Uisce Eireann?

When will roads, footpaths and public lighting services in Monksfield Estate, Bealnamulla be fully taken into charge by Roscommon County Council and when will the water in and water out services in the estate be taken in charge by Uisce Eireann? "

Reply

Monksfield Park is currently on Tender for works to be completed for Taking in Charge. All going to plan this will be advertised and brought to the MD meeting at the end of the year.

When will roads, footpaths and public lighting services in Mill Race Estate, Bealnamulla be fully taken in charge by Roscommon County Council and when will the water in and water out services in the estate be taken in charge by Uisce Eireann?

When will roads, footpaths and public lighting services in Mill Race Estate, Bealnamulla be fully taken in charge by Roscommon County Council and when will the water in and water out services in the estate be taken in charge by Uisce Eireann?"

Reply

Millrace Estate is also currently on Tender for works to be completed for Taking In Charge. Again this is forecasted to be advertised and brought to the MD meeting at the end of the year.

Can Roscommon County Council write to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan requesting him to directly intervene with TII over the lack of any rest areas on the Athlone to Galway section of the M6 Motorway. 

“Can Roscommon County Council write to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan requesting him to directly intervene with TII over the lack of any rest areas on the Athlone to Galway section of the M6 Motorway.?” 

            Reply

In relation to the above correspondence was sent and an acknowledgement received from the TII on the 8^th March 2023.

No votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

1.Members agreed to advertise the MD funding with a closing date for applications 18^th April, 2023 at 5pm.

2.Cllr. D Kilduff raised the possibility of re-opening of the railway station in Knockcroghery.  This year is the 60^th Anniversary of its closure.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. D Kilduff

         Seconded by:   Cllr. L Fallon

Members AGREED to write to the Minister of Transport to carry out a feasibility study to explore the possibility of re-opening the railway station and send another letter requesting provision of adequate bus shelters in Knockcroghery and Lecarrow. There is a greater number of people now working from home and use of public transport will increase over the coming years.

Next MD meeting is the 16^th May, 2023.