No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 19^th February, 2025.

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

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 25^th March, 2025.

Specified Development – Proposed Residential Development at Slí an Choiste, Monksland, Co. Roscommon.  Construction of 51 no. residential units and all associated site works.

Vincent Walsh SEE, Housing Section presented the Chief Executive’s report to the Members. Fiona Ní Chuinn Acting Director of Services, Ann McHugh SEO and Mark Finneran EE were also present.

Members welcomed the development and expressed their thanks to all involved in preparing the Part 8 for this new development in Monksland. The Members complimented the Staff of the Housing Section for their high level of engagement with the residents and to the residents for the large number of positive submission submitted for consideration.

Members expressed some concerns regarding safety issues on the main Slí an Coiste access road (L-7641-0).  Concerns were noted regarding the increased volume of traffic and issues regarding the existing School Bus stop area needs which needs to be addressed.   The Members requested if possible to move the junction at the entrance of the new estate a few meters within the scope of the red line boundary.

On the proposal of: Cllr L Fallon

          Seconded by: Cllr E Kelly

It was proposed to remove the proposed speed table at the entrance to the new estate and implement other traffic calming measures.Susan Loughnane informed the Members that the Athlone MD is happy to work with the Members outside the red line boundaries to address their safety concerns.

Members requested if the issues at the entrance to Sli an Cloiste Estate from the Old Tuam Rd. during winter season could be addressed. It is very difficult to get out of the estate at this junction during severe weather conditions.  Susan Loughnane informed the Members that while it is not on the Winter Maintenance route, it has been gritted using a smaller gritter and antiskid measures are included in the programme of works in the coming months.

On the Proposal of     Cllr V Duffy

         Seconded by     Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the Specified Development by a Local Authority in accordance with section 179 subsections 3(A) and 3(B) of part XI of the Planning & Development Act 2000 as amended and part 8 of Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (S.I. No 600 of 2001) as amended. With the removal of the Speed Table at the entrance to the estate and to replace this with alternative traffic calming measures.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

          Seconded by:  Cllr V Duffy

The Draft Athlone MD Road Works Programme 2025 as part of the Schedule of Municipal District Works was presented to the Elected Members. The MD Schedule of works was approved by the Members. The Members thanked the staff involved in the presentation of the Programme.

Members requested an up to date List for the Drainage Programme 2025.

Cllr J Keogh inquired about funding to repair street lighting in Estates not taken in charge. Funding was put in place in 2014 after elections to address these issues.

Caitlin Connelly, Director of Services informed the Members that the Assets team have a limited budget and is prioritising works due to the substantial increase in costs.

Cllr J Keogh requested that the overgrown hedging and litter around the Monksland outside GYM area by addressed.

Cllr L Fallon inquired when will the new Public Lights in Athleague village be connected.

Susan Loughnane agreed to inspect the area around the Gym, and informed the Members that ESB connection at Athleague has been certified and is with the ESB for connection.

Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3. Declaration of public road within the housing development at Corran Riada, Monksland, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3. Declaration of public road within the housing development at Corran Riada, Monksland, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

          Seconded by:  Cllr. T Ward

It was AGREED  by all the Members to have the road located within housing development at Corran Riada, Monksland, Athlone , Co Roscommon be declared to be a public road.

Cllr J Keogh requested if something could be done to address caravans left parked there for long period of time.

Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3. Declaration of public road within the housing development at Cushla Village, Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon.

Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 and Roads Regulations 1994, Part 2

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Section 180 Local Government Reform Act 2014 Schedule 3. Declaration of public road within the housing development at Cushla Village, Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to have the road located within the housing development at Cushla Village, Monksland, Athlone, Co. Roscommon be declared to be a public road

Planning application Ref PD/23/60195 for the development of a residential development consisting of 82 houses and apartments in Monksland was granted permission, subject to a number of conditions, on 27^th September, 2024.

Condition No. 5 outlined a requirement that a signalised junction is provided on the R362 at the Junction with the L75603 and the proposed development access prior to the occupation of any unit.  The applicant, in consultation with Roscommon County Council, has examined the junction options and developed a design for the junction.

The proposed junction design incorporates elements of the proposed Active Travel Scheme for Bealnamulla that is currently being developed by Roscommon County Council’s Active Travel Team.

It is now intended to carry out a Statutory Process to implement the junction upgrade proposals as required by Condition 5 of the grant of planning.  A statutory procedure in accordance with Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 will be commence shortly in this regard.

Notice of the Procedure will be published in a local newspaper outlining that representations may be made in relation to the proposal with a prescribed period.

Members were unhappy that Roscommon County Council granted planning permission with Condition 5 for a signalised Junction, to be designed with the approval of Roscommon County Council using section 38 of the Traffic Act 1994.  Therefore there  will be no part 8 to allow their input as public representatives on the signalised Junction on a Regional Road R362.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to request an ‘In Camera Meeting with the Planning Department’ be arranged as a matter of urgency.

A.    Junction Optimisation Priority Intervention 1- St Brigid’s junction.

B.    Junction Optimisation Priority Intervention 2- St John’s Church junction.

Optimisation Priority Intervention 1 St Brigid’s Junction. and 2 St John’s Junction

Both projects are currently at Options development Stage and a number of options have been identified for both locations. Draft options reports are currently being prepared.  The options will assess the options and identify a preferred options for each junction.

Members thanked Susan Loughnane for the update and look forward to the commencement of the projects as soon as possible.

There was no Matters arising from the Minutes of the March MD Meeting.

There was one Notice of Motion for discussion NOM 5.25.

NOM 4.25 was deferred until the next MD meeting due to Cllr D Connolly absence.

I call this Municipal District to abandon the Roads Programme 2025 to address the damage done to the roads across the region by Storm Eowyn. 

We must allow the local engineers and supervisors to address the roads most in need following storm damage before returning to the 2025 road programme.

I call this Municipal District to abandon the Roads Programme 2025 to address the damage done to the roads across the region by Storm Eowyn. 

We must allow the local engineers and supervisors to address the roads most in need following storm damage before returning to the 2025 road programme.

Members AGREED due to Cllr D Connolly absence to defer this Notice of Motion until the next MD meeting.

I am seeking the support of my fellow Councillors and Roscommon County Council to write to the policing unit of An Garda Síochana to request more frequent speed checks on the R357 near Ballinasloe. There is a high volume of traffic using this road and there have been multiple concerns raised regarding the speed of traffic and safety on this section of road.

I am seeking the support of my fellow councillors and Roscommon County Council to write to the policing unit of An Garda Síochana to request more frequent speed checks on the R357 near Ballinasloe. There is a high volume of traffic using this road and there have been multiple concerns raised regarding the speed of traffic and safety on this section of road.

REPLY:

The above NOM requires a resolution by the Members of the Athlone MD to write to the policing unit of An Garda Síochana.

Cllr E Kelly thanked the Members for their support.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr L Fallon

It was AGREED by all the Members to write to An Garda Síochana requesting an increase in Garda monitoring of speed on this stretch of road on the R357.

I would like to propose a civic reception for the Uí Máine Kingdom Group (Karst Farming Group / Celtic Eye Group). This group were successful winners of the FBD Better Farming award, winning the Cormac Tagging Best Community / Public Group Engagement or Incentive Scheme for their work in protecting the unique Karst landscape’s biodiversity, nature, water, heritage, mythology and folklore. The group have also been successful in the Bloom competition, winning another award, to name but a few of their successes.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr V Duffy

It was AGREED by all the Members to honour the Uí Máine Kingdom Group(Karst Farming Group/Celtic Eye Group at the next Civic Reception.

Members were informed that MD funding 2025 will be advertised in the coming weeks.Members also discussed the outstanding MD funding grants. 

Ballyforan Hall Community Group informed Roscommon County Council that they were not in a position to use the funding granted to them from Athlone MD funding 2024 of €7,500.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

          Seconded by:  Cllr E Kelly

It was agreed by all to the following extensions:

Athlone MD funding – 6 Extensions granted at MD meeting Mar 25.

Athlone MD funding- 3 Change of Project with Extensions granted at MD meeting Mar 25

Members were disappointed with the reply from NTA in relation to attending a meeting of Athlone MD to discuss extension of Bus services in South Roscommon.

They did however inform the Members that they were at present in discussion with Galway Local Link regarding provision of a bus service between Ballinasloe and Athlone.When discussions have been concluded, they will update stakeholders.

Members extended their congratulations to the newly selected Member of Athlone MD, Cllr Valerie Duffy and look forward to working with her over the next four years.

Caitlín Conneely Director of Services on behalf of the Chief Executive and MD staff also extended congratulations to Cllr Valerie Duffy, and is looking forward to working with her as a Member of Athlone MD.

No AOB for discussion