No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 26^th November, 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 by all the Members to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 26^th November, 2024.

A. Cllr L Fallon inquired if there was any reply from NTA to the invite sent to attend an MD meeting to discuss bus services in Athlone MD area. 

Susan Loughnane, Athlone MD Co-Ordinator informed the Members that she had followed up on the invite and to date had not received any reply.

B. Cllr E Kelly inquired about the timeframe for the survey to be carried out at the bad bend at Cam, Brideswell.

C. Susan Loughnane informed the Members that she now has a response to the Motion raised at the November MD meeting under AOB (minutes 83.24), in relation to a proposal to introduce speed limit bylaws for specific areas.

Response:

The national speed limit review was conducted in 2023.

The main recommendations are as follows:

·         Local Road Network default changes to 60 km/h (currently 80 km/h)

·         National Secondary Road default changes to 80 km/h (currently 100 km/h)

·         Urban Roads are generally reduced to 30 km/h (strategic arterial roads may be higher)

The changes will be implemented in two distinct phases:

Phase 1:  Local Road Network with target implementation date of February 2025 - this may involve the introduction of temporary, supplementary special speed limit bye-laws

Phase 2:  National Secondary Roads and Urban Roads with target implementation date tbc – this will involve a full revision of the current special speed limit bye-laws

The review of the current speed limit bye-laws required for  Phase 2 of the National speed limit review is expected to take place in the first half of 2025. The areas outlined by Cllr. Keogh will be included in this review.

The review of speed limits will be in undertaken in accordance with the Guidance for Setting Speed Limits in Ireland (https://www.speedlimits.ie/)

No Correspondences

There were three Notice of Motions for discussion

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council for the installation of Electronic Speed Reduction Signs to be installed on the R366 through Castlecoote to reduce speeding through the village and the installation of speed ramps to ensure the safety of locals crossing this very busy road. We must be mindful of the age demographic of majority of residents in the wider area and their need to access the church from the carpark on the opposite side of the road. The installation of these measures is much needed to prevent any future incidents!”.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council for the installation of Electronic Speed Reduction Signs to be installed on the R366 through Castlecoote to reduce speeding through the village and the installation of speed ramps to ensure the safety of locals crossing this very busy road. We must be mindful of the age demographic of majority of residents in the wider area and their need to access the church from the carpark on the opposite side of the road. The installation of these measures is much needed to prevent any future incidents!

REPLY:

A speed survey will be carried out in the area to determine the speeds on this section of road. Driver speed feedback signs and any other appropriate speed reduction measures will be considered once the speed survey has been reviewed.

Members should note that the delivery of signage and/or speed reduction measures is subject to available funding and resources.

Cllr. D Connolly thanked Members for their support.

Motion was seconded by Cllr T Ward and supported by all the Members.  They  agreed that speed is an issue in all villages.  Members were informed that pedestrian crossing for villages are delivered through Active Travel Department.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that funding request to TII for Athleague Pedestrian crossing has been submitted.

Caitlín Conneely, Director of Services informed Members that speed enforcement is a Garda Siochana issue.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to re-do markings on the road and fill the rough hard shoulder on the R363 at the top of Cam Hill. There have been a number of accidents on this section of road where there are a series of bends”.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to re-do markings on the road and fill the rough hard shoulder on the R363 at the top of Cam Hill. There have been a number of accidents on this section of road where there are a series of bends

REPLY:

The velocity patcher will be dispatched to the section of road in question. This section of road will be considered for resurfacing as part of the 2026 Roads Programme and hard shoulders addressed as part of the resurfacing works. Road marking will be renewed in conjunction with the resurfacing

Cllr E Kelly thanked Members for their support.

Motion was Seconded by Cllr L Fallon and supported by all the Members. Any additional road marking and signage that could be erected would be appreciated.

Cllr L Fallon also requested that road markings are renewed following road resurfacing on the L7554-0 at St Brigid’s GAA pitch, Kiltoom.

Members were informed that hard shoulders are included in overlay works, however maintenance of set backs at residences are a matter for property owners.

Susan Loughnane agreed to review that section of road. Members requested an update for the next meeting.

" I am calling on Roscommon Co. Co.to update the meeting on studies carried out to date.  What are the future actions and time frame to improve the flooding to the South of Road L1813 from Athleague  to Scardaun.   This flooding is caused by the elevated Bridge near Athleague School"

"I am calling on Roscommon Co. Co. to update the meeting on studies carried out to date.  What are the future actions and time frame to improve the flooding to the South of Road L1813 from Athleague to Scardaun.   This flooding is caused by the elevated Bridge near Athleague School"

REPLY:

A survey of the area was undertaken on Q1 2024. This survey showed that there is a relatively flat topography upstream of the bridge. It was also noted that the drain upstream may have been deepened locally following some drain cleaning. Any proposed remedial works to the bridge would require a flood risk assessment and all relevant environmental statutory procedures to assess the impact of any measure downstream.

A full assessment of the bridge will be carried out to determine the current condition of the bridge and to help identify any works required. Where it is identified that remedial work are required funding streams to carry out the required studies will be explored by the Athlone MD.

Cllr L Fallon thanked the Members for their support. Motion was Seconded by Cllr D Connolly and supported by all the Members, on the condition that any remedial works agreed does not cause flooding issue elsewhere.

There was one Question for noting

Has there been any progress made on investigating the possibility of a bye law to extend the 50km speed limit from Brideswell village out towards Cam Community Centre? 

Has there been any progress made on investigating the possibility of a bye law to extend the 50km speed limit from Brideswell village out towards Cam Community Centre? 

REPLY:

The national speed limit review was conducted in 2023.

The main recommendations are as follows:

·         Local Road Network default changes to 60 km/h (currently 80 km/h)

·         National Secondary Road default changes to 80 km/h (currently 100 km/h)

·         Urban Roads are generally reduced to 30 km/h (strategic arterial roads may be higher)

The changes will be implemented in two distinct phases:

Phase 1:  Local Road Network with target implementation date of February 2024 - this may involve the introduction of temporary, supplementary special speed limit bye-laws

Phase 2:  National Secondary Roads and Urban Roads with target implementation date of April 2025 – this will involve a full revision of the current special speed limit bye-laws

The review of the current speed limit bye-laws required for of Phase 2 of the National speed limit review is expected to take place in the first half of 2025. The areas outlined by Cllr. Keogh at the November 2024 MD, including the location above, will be included in this review.

The review of speed limits will be in undertaken in accordance with the Guidance for Setting Speed Limits in Ireland (https://www.speedlimits.ie/)

Members and Director of Services on behalf of the Executive, expressed their sympathy and extended their condolences to the family of the late Cllr. Tony Waldron’s family on his sad passing. They paid tribute to Cllr. Tony Waldron both as a colleague and as a Councillor. During his time as a Councillor he was a great advocate for his Constituency and Roscommon and in particular to developing tourism in the County and the River Suck Valley. Following their condolences a Minute silence followed as a mark of respect.

There were no Civic Reception requests.

A. On the proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

              Seconded by:   Cllr L Fallon

AGREED by all the Members, Brideswell Festival Committee request to change of purpose for MD funding 2024 grant was approved.

Caitlín Conneely, Director of Services informed the Members that they have ownership of the MD Funding and going forward it is important that funding granted is used in a timely fashion.  Any extensions granted should have a programme of works with a timeframe for completion.

B. On the Proposal of:          Cllr J Keogh

             Seconded by:           Cllr E Kelly

Caitlín Conneely agreed to bring the existing guidelines for the MD funding  scheme to the next CPG meeting with a view to having any changes agreed and incorporated into the guidelines for 2025 before advertising the scheme in April, 2025.

C. Cllr E Kelly raised the concern of residents in relation to speeding on the L2018 Skrine to Roscommon as this road now has a speed limit of 60km/hr. Members requested if possible that more signage be erected at Lacken Cross. Members were informed that speed enforcement is a Garda  Siochana issue.

Cllr J Keogh called for L2025/L2018 to be upgraded to Regional Road status.

D. Cllr J Keogh requested an update on the progress with a timeframe, for the junction optimisation of the N61 in the vicinity of the L7554-0 at St Brigid’s GAA, as identified as junction optimisation priority 1 intervention in the N61 Roscommon to Athlone Improvement Strategy. Susan Loughnane informed the Members that it was at options stages.

E. Cllr T Ward requested that Curnaseer junction which, was not included on the priority list of junctions to be examined in 2025, be prioritised.