No Disclosures.

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 18^th November, 2025

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. D Connolly welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED by the Members to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 18^th November, 2025.

Paddy Spollen,Technician, Housing Department presented the Chief Executive Report on the Specified Development Part 8- Proposed Dwelling Extension at Cornamart, Knockcroghery TD, Co. Roscommon.

Members thanked Paddy Spollen for his presentation.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the Specified Development Part8- CE Report for Proposed Dwelling Extension at Cornamart, Knockcroghery TD, Co Roscommon

4.26.1 Cllr. L Fallon expressed his disappointment once again that there is still no correspondence from Bus Eireann in relation to the concerns raised at the October MD meeting on unreliable services for school children in south Roscommon area, which is still ongoing.

4.26.2 Cllr. T Ward expressed his concerns of the speed of vehicles on the regional road at Cam, Brideswell, and hoped that works would commence in the near future.

Susan Loughnane, Athlone MD Co-Ordinator informed the Members that the programme of works has been submitted to the Department for approval and awaits grant of funding. Tenders will be advertised shortly for the works.

There was one Notice of Motion for discussion.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to write to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the urgent need for an additional autism class at Ballyforan NS. There is huge demand for spaces in this area and they are not being resourced. 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to write to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the urgent need for an additional autism class at Ballyforan NS. There is huge demand for spaces in this area and they are not being resourced.”

Response:

The above NOM requires a resolution by the members of the Athlone MD to write to the parties outlined.

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 Members to write to the Minister for Education, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Norma Foley to outline the urgent need for an additional autism class at Ballyforn N.S. There is a huge demand for spaces in this area that are not currently being resourced.

There was one Question for noting.

The estimated cost of installing and upgrading "Cats Eyes" road marking/lining on all of the Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads in/passing through South Roscommon/Athlone Municipal District for which Roscommon County Council has responsibility? In addition, the cost of installing "Cats Eyes" along the entire R446 road (Regional: Priority 2) from Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon to Monksland Roundabout, Athlone Co. Roscommon? 

The estimated cost of installing and upgrading "Cats Eyes" road marking/lining on all of the Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads in/passing through South Roscommon/Athlone Municipal District for which Roscommon County Council has responsibility? In addition, the cost of installing "Cats Eyes" along the entire R446 road (Regional: Priority 2) from Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon to Monksland Roundabout, Athlone Co. Roscommon? 

Response:

The terminology of Priority 1 and Priority 2 Roads is used in the Winter Maintenance Plan. Priority 1 roads are national roads and Priority 2 roads are generally regional roads. 

Line marking on national roads is managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland directly. Where there are specific issues identified RCC will report this directly to TII.

There are in the region of 118 km of regional roads in the Athlone Municipal District. Given the different circumstances, such as road widths and different line markings such as edge marking, centre lines and other marking such as school ahead markings it would be difficult to estimate the cost of renewing all lining and markings without using significant resources. However, if you were to assume that yellow edge markings and a solid centre line were provided, the cost of renewing just these markings on all regional roads in the MD would be in the region of €600,000.00 and €800,000.00 depending on specific circumstances.

Road markings on regional roads are carried out in conjunction with resurfacing projects. Where there are specific areas of concern these can be inspected and a priority list for renewal compiled. The renewal of road markings is subject to budget and resource availability.

With regard to ‘cats eyes’ or road studs these are generally provided on rural national roads. There are road studs in place on the R446 as this is a former national road. As with line marking road studs are generally renewed in conjunction with resurfacing projects. Central Road studs have been recently renewed on the R446 at Thomastown /Dolanstown in conjunction with resurfacing in the area. The renewal of edge line studs will follow in Q1 2026.

The distance between Creagh and Ballinasloe along the R446 is approximately 18km. Assuming only edge and centre line studs are replaced the approximate cost would be in the region of €170,000.00 to €250,000.00 This does not include additional studs required at right turn lanes or hatched areas.

No Votes of Sympathy/Congratulations.

10.26.1 Cllr. E Kelly requested that Athlone MD write a letter to the ESB in support of a Motion by Ballinasloe MD requesting a meeting with ESB, in relation to power outages at the substation in Ballygar. This is also effecting areas in Athleague, Four Roads and Creggs.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr. D Connolly

It was AGREED by all the Members to send a letter to the ESB in support of the Motion by Ballinasloe MD.

10.26.2 Cllr. L Fallon raised an issue of safety at Kileenrevagh, Co. Roscommon, residents must bring their bins to the head of the road where the L-7134 meets the N61 for collection. The bins at this location at the junction of the N61 and L-7134 results in reduced visibility at the junction for cars exiting onto the N61. Residents have met with representatives of Barna Waste and demonstrated that a turning area for the waste truck is available on the L-7134.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr. E Kelly

It was AGREED by all the Members to write to Barna Recycling requesting that the Bins are collected on the L7134 itself  and not at the junction N61.