No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 16^th May, 2023

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

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr T Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 16^th May, 2023.

The Members thanked Systra Consultants Andrew Archer and Alison Piggott for their presentation on the Athlone Joint Urban Area Plan. Following that a discussion took place. The Members welcomed the proposed strategies of this comprehensive and ambitious Plan for Athlone town and surrounding areas.

There were a number of key points raised by the Members:

1.    Measures to improve flow of traffic at the roundabout on Junction 13 needs to be urgently addressed.

2.    Public transport needs to be extended out to Summerhill, Cornafulla, Brideswell and Kiltoom areas and the frequency increased in order to encourage more people to use these services in the future.

3.    Explore the possibility of providing park and ride zones on Roscommon side of Athlone ensuring adequate accessibility for everyone.

4.    Possibility of Go-Car services to help elderly and sick people get to appointments in Town Centre.

5.    Safety Measures on the N61 needs to be addressed

6.    Speed limits in Monksland Area.

7.    Necessity to progress the link road from Monksland across to N61, which will significantly reduce the volume of traffic using the R363 into Athlone Town and other destinations.

8.    Active Travel Scheme proposed to develop walkways and cycleway will need adequate pedestrian crossing and lights to ensure safe access and regress to Schools in the area.

9.    Adequate drop off and collection zones for Schools.

10  Cross border Councils co-operation vital going forward.      

1.Clarification of Estate Name requested by Cllr J Keogh. The Members were informed that both Monksfield and Monksfield Park estates will be taken in charge at one time as part of the same TIC application by the developer. There is currently on-going works at the Pumping stations and it will be 2024 before the TIC comes before a MD meeting.

2.Seamus Lough Executive Engineer informed the Members that the Warning Signs for the R363 have now been procured and expects delivery in the coming weeks He will allocate resources to erect them.

3 The Members were informed that there are 17 outstanding applications for LCSS.

They agreed to have a wider discussion in relation to progressing some of the outstanding applications at the next MD meeting.

4. Members were informed that Active Travel Proposals are at an advanced stage for Brideswell Village, only applies within the 50km speed zones. Cllr. J Keogh state that they may need to look at bringing forward change to the By-laws in order to extend the speed limit further out to the Community Centre

5. Seamus Lough agreed to look at negotiations again for land agreements to allow for the set back of Junction at L2018/L7731

6. Members agreed to discuss the response from NRDO in relation to Providing a Car Park at Mt Talbot School at next MD meeting when Cllr L Fallon will be present.

   Seamus Lough informed the Members that the NRDO response was that it was not

  feasible to erect car park on the opposite side of the road to the school, the best option would be to acquire land beside the school

There was one Notice of Motion for discussion

“That Roscommon County Council provide an updated report , on the expected date for the commencement of road safety improvement works on the R362 at Cloonakilla NS as these works are urgently required.”

“That Roscommon County Council provide an updated report, on the expected date for the commencement of road safety improvement works on the R362 at Cloonakilla NS as these works are urgently required.”

Response:

The works will commence as soon as the school is closed for the summer holidays.

The Motion was Seconded by Cllr T Ward and supported by all the Members

1.    Minister for Transport regarding the re-opening of Knockcroghery Railway Station.

2.    Clarification of Estate Name – Cllr J Keogh Question No. 5.23

There were two correspondences for discussion

1.    Minister for Transport response regarding the re-opening of Knockcroghery Railway station. The Members were informed that the All Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken at present and the results of the review will be available in autumn of this year.

2.    Clarification of Estate Name requested by Cllr. J Keogh from reply on NOM 5.23 was discussed under matters arising.

No Civic Reception Requests

No Questions for noting.

No Votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

Members agreed to hold MD meeting in June instead of July to facilitate the Presentation on the Athlone Area Based Transport Assessment by Systra.