No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 30^th July, 2024.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. J Keogh welcomed everyone to the Meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 30^th July, 2024.

Susan Loughnane, Athlone MD Co-Ordinator presented the Chief Executive’s Report to the Members:

Chief Executive ‘s Report on the Specified Development Part 8- Planning and Development act 2000(as amended), Planning and Development act 2001(as amended) Consideration of CE report for Road Realignment at L7610/L7550 Killaghahan, Gort and Carna West.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr T Ward

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the Specified Development Part 8- CE Report for Road Re-alignment at L67610/L7550 Killaghahan, Gort and Carna West with one amendment to reduce the height of the wall adjacent to the house in the interest of safety.

Cllr. L Fallon requested an update in relation to NOM 54.24 that was raised at the July 2024 MD meeting.  Members discussed the issue raised by Cllr Fallon and expressed their disappointment and concerns for the future in relation to TII reply to Plenary, that they were not in position to upgrade the N61 to a National Primary Route.

Members also expressed concerns that there is no bus route from Roscommon to Athlone and Sligo for college students.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that she would follow up on the matter raised by Cllr. Fallon.

There were two Notice of Motions for discussion.

That Roscommon County Council review the speed limit on the Woodmount  Road  and install speed tables  from the Junction with the R446 to Padraig Pearses GAA Grounds, to improve safety on this section road. 

That Roscommon County Council review the speed limit on the Woodmount  Road  and install speed tables  from the Junction with the R446 to Padraig Pearses GAA Grounds, to improve safety on this section road. 

REPLY:

A national speed limit review was conducted in 2023 and recommended that the Local Road Network default speed limit is changed from 80km/h to 60 km/h. The target implementation date for this change of speed limit on the local road network is November 2024.

As part of this national change the speed limit on Woodmount Road will be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h. Where there are remaining concerns once the speed limit has been changed a speed survey can be carried out on the Woodmount Road to determine the speed of vehicles.

The Motion was supported by all the Members, It was AGREED by all Members that the speed from R446 down to Pearses GAA pitch needs to be addressed. The Members enquired if footpaths and public lighting were a possibility on this stretch of road, also if speed tables could be an option.

Members enquired if the 100kp/h speed limit would become an 80kp/h under the next implementation state of the National Speed Limit review.

Susan Loughnane informed Members that following the change to the speed limit on Woodmount Road, a speed survey would be undertaken and the results analysed.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that the speed limit review does not recommend any changes to speed limits on regional roads.  However as there is a special speed limit of 100kp/h on the R446 she will seek clarification on the issue.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to urgently review the junction at Cornafulla National School and work with the school to improve safety for children and parents using the school and junction

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to urgently review the junction at Cornafulla National School and work with the school to improve safety for children and parents using the school and junction

REPLY:

The Safe Routes to School Programme aims to improve safety at school gates and increase active travel to schools.  Cornafulla NS is on the SRTS list however it was not selected in Round 1 or 2 of the programme. Schools that have applied and have not been included in the first two rounds of funding will be brought into the programme on a rolling basis. The SRTS process will review safety around the school and recommend actions.           

The Motion was supported by all the Members. Cllr E Kelly thanked them for their support. The Members enquired if anything could be done in the interim to improve safety at this junction. Susan informed the Members that she was happy to discuss any proposals that could be implemented within the MD resources and would get clarification on the new speed limits due to be implemented, in relation to regional roads.l

There was one Question for noting.

Is there an update in relation to a pedestrian crossing and / or traffic calming in Athleague village? This was raised at a previous meeting as a notice of motion. 

Is there an update in relation to a pedestrian crossing and / or traffic calming in Athleague village? This was raised at a previous meeting as a notice of motion. 

REPLY:

A speed survey was undertaken in Athleague between the 31^st July and the 7^th August 2024. The speed survey shows that the average speed on this section of road was 42kph with an 85^th percentile 50 kph which is the posted speed limit on this section of road. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85% of traffic recorded are travelling at.

Funding and approval for the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Athleague will be sought from TII in 2025. A pedestrian crossing will provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians and reduce traffic speeds.

1.       TII- Motion 50.24- M6 Motorway Between Kilbegley overbridge and junction 14

2.       Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD – March Motin 32.24(1) – Periodic flooding in Clonown

3.       TII – Motion 42.24 – Junction 13/Potential New Road link R362-N61

Three correspondences were circulated:

A TII- Motion 50.24 M6 Motorway between Klbegley overbridge and Junction 14.

The design review has commenced and a ground topographical survey of the route has been mobilised, with outputs expected in early September which will inform the design.  It is anticipated that any proposed interventions will be identified later this year.

B Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD- March Motion 32.24(1) –Re Periodic flooding in Clonown.

Correspondences received state that Schemes are considered by OPW for projects that are estimated to cost no greater than €750,000. Members agreed that they may need to re-address the Clonown flooding issue as there doesn’t seem to be any Scheme that will fund this project at present.

C TII – Motion 42.24 – Junction 13/Potential New Road Link R362/N61

TII are in consultation with Roscommon County Council, regarding the potential for improvements at Junction 13 off the N6. Roscommon County Council are responsible for the preparation and submission of a Feasibility and Options report before consideration can be given to the provision of funding.

Pre-planning discussion on the New Link road from R362 with N61 are not concluded yet, any proposals will be published with planning proposes.

Cllr Tony Ward would like to call on Roscommon County Council to honour Fiona Tully at the next Civic Reception.  Fiona won a World Handball Championship title in the Ladies Open Doubles category, with Kilkenny’s Ciara Mahon.  She also won a silver medal in the Ladies Open Singles.  Her double’s title is the first title for Roscommon in the Open (elite) category.  Roscommon had 20 players in total competing in the Wallball World Championships in other grades.  Alanna Coogeran, Kilglass Gaels won the under 19 Singles Plate category and got silver in the under 19 doubles plate.  The 4 Wall World Championships will take place in Dublin from 26^th Oct – 3^rd Nov.  Roscommon will be well represented at these games.  I would propose that all those players would be honoured by way of Civic Reception.

There was one Civic Reception Request.

I would like to call on Roscommon County Council to honour Fiona Tully at the next Civic Reception.  Fiona won a World Handball Championship title in the Ladies Open Doubles category, with Kilkenny’s Ciara Mahon.  She also won a silver medal in the Ladies Open Singles.  Her double’s title is the first title for Roscommon in the Open (elite) category.  Roscommon had 20 players in total competing in the Wallball World Championships in other grades.  Alanna Coogeran, Kilglass Gaels won the under 19 Singles Plate category and got silver in the under 19 doubles plate.  The 4 Wall World Championships will take place in Dublin from 26^th Oct – 3^rd Nov.  Roscommon will be well represented at these games.  I would propose that all those players would be honoured by way of Civic Reception.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members that Fiona Tully and Alanna Coogeran be honoured at the next Civic reception.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. T Ward    

The Members AGREED to send a letter from Athlone MD to extend their condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Late Cllr. John Naughten’s Wife Breda and his daughters Emma, Leah and Orlaith.

A Cllr. T Ward requested that another letter be sent to TII in relation to Cllr. E Kelly’s NOM 9.24 -July MD meeting regarding any proposed noise reductions on the M6 to include Athlone Bypass up to and including Junction 13 to incorporate County Roscommon.

B Cllr T Ward also raised the need for Pedestrian Crossing and footpaths in Curraghboy from the National School to the Junction is very dangerous. An Application was sent into Active Travel some time ago. Also Brideswell Village out to Cam Community Centre have not been considered to date by Active Travel for traffic reduction through the village.

Cllr. J Keogh stated that Active Travel Programmes are only considered inside speed limit zones. They may need to consider changes to the Bye laws at Plenary Meeting to extending the speed limit in Brideswell village out to Cam Community Centre

Members requested an update for the November MD meeting on the Active Travel Programme in conjunction with LCSS.  Cllr E Kelly inquired if they could get an update on the Feasibility Study that was done and what villages were included in it.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that NTA did not include these projects for funding last year. She will get an update on SRTS- Colaiste Ciarian, Cloonakilla.