No Disclosures

·        Minutes of Meeting held on 26^th March, 2026.

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 26^th March, 2026.

An update on all the current Regeneration Projects in the Athlone MD area was presented to the Members by Rachel Lowe, Senior Engineer, Regeneration. Presentation attached.

Members thanked Rachel Lowe for the detailed presentation and welcomed all the projects that are ongoing in the Athlone MD area. Members raised concerns about the speed of traffic on L 2020-0 and the safety of pedestrian and cyclists accessing Hodson Bay on this road. Members enquired about the availability of funding for ongoing maintenance of projects on completion.  Rachel Lowe informed the Members that the concerns regarding safety on the L 2020-0 accessing Hodson Bay are being addressed as part of the Hodson Bay Project.  With regards to funding for maintenance of projects, there is generally a one or two year landscape maintenance period included in the contract and maintenance then reverts to the Council.

• Section 12 of the Roads Act 1993 – Abandonment of a Public Road, Local Road No L7610 for a distance of 120 metres in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon

• Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993 - Extinguishment of a Public Right Way - Local Road No L7610 for a distance of 120 metres in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon

Section 12 of the Roads Act 1993 – Abandonment of a Public Road, Local Road No L7610 for a distance of 120 metres in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon.

Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993 - Extinguishment of a Public Right of Way - Local Road No L7610 for a distance of 120 metres in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon.

Susan Loughnane, Athlone MD Co-Ordinator presented the CE Report to the Members.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by all the Members to the Abandonment of a Local Road  L7610 for a distance of 120 metred in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr V Duffy

It was AGREED by all the Members to the Extinguishment of a Public Right of Way on a Local Road L7610 for distance of 120 metres in the townland of Carnagh West, Roscommon.

Proposed development pursuant to the provisions of Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Article 81 of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Specified Development:  R-363 Claremount (Ballyforan) Active Travel Safety Measures

The CE Report on the Specified Development part 8 for R363 at Claremount, Ballyforan Active Travel Safety Measures was presented to the Members by Seamus Lough, Executive Engineer, Roads.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

It was AGREED by all the Members to adopt the CE Report Part 8 for the Specified Development for the  R363 at Claremount, Ballyforan Active Travel Safety Measures.

Members thanked Seamus Lough for his presentation and welcomed the Safety Measures proposed.  Presentation attached.

Seamus Lough replied to a query in relation to Taughmaconnell N.S. safety issues and for the implementation of a similar scheme at the school.  He informed the Members that funding for front of school improvements is delivered through the Safe Routes to School Programme.  Taughmaconnell NS did not apply for this funding when the scheme was opened for applications in 2021.  The scheme is currently closed for applications , however it is hoped that the scheme will be reopened for applications in the future.

No Matters Arising

There was One Notice of Motion for discussion.

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to review the crossroads in Four Roads to identify what additional measures can be implemented to reduce vehicle speed and improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users. Signage and road markings had previously been installed, however additional measure are required urgently.”

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to review the cross roads in Four Roads to identify what additional measures can be implemented to reduce vehicle speed and improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users. Signage and road markings had previously been installed, however additional measure are required urgently.

Response:

Roscommon County Council has provided driver feedback signs and road markings on all approaches to Four Roads Village. The current signage and road markings ensure that drivers on all approaches to the village are aware of the speed limit and that they are entering a village environment.

The enforcement of speed limits is a matter for An Garda Siochana.

Cllr E Kelly thanked the Members for their support. She enquired if possible that a survey could be done to see could visibility and safety be improved.

There were two Questions for noting.

The number of 'affordable' classed homes that are due to come on stream in the South Roscommon/Athlone MD area in 2026 and the plans, if any, to increase this in 2027 and 2028 and the locations in the Athlone MD where these new affordable homes are planned?

The number of 'affordable' classed homes that are due to come on stream in the South Roscommon/Athlone MD area in 2026 and the plans, if any, to increase this in 2027 and 2028 and the locations in the Athlone MD where these new affordable homes are planned?

 Response:

The Housing Department, in partnership with KDM, has delivered six affordable homes in the Athlone Municipal District. This represents the first offering of affordable housing in the county to date. The application phase for these homes has now closed, and the team is currently reviewing submissions. We are continuing discussions with KDM with a view to potentially delivering a further four affordable units, which may become available in 2027. While there are currently no units confirmed for 2028, we will continue to engage with developers in the Monksland area to support the provision of affordable housing where possible.

The number, planning, and delivery timeframes for all solar farms and wind farms in the South Roscommon area as agreed by Roscommon County Council / An Bord Pleanala?

The number, planning, and delivery timeframes for all solar farms and wind farms in the South Roscommon area as agreed by Roscommon County Council / An Bord Pleanala?

 Response:

A list of relevant permissions in the Athlone MD area is attached. Delivery timeframes are not stipulated in the permissions granted and whilst the applicants may have given indications in some instances of intended construction timescales, they are not bound by such indicative information and are at liberty to progress the development at any stage within the period of validity of the planning permission (subject to satisfactorily complying with all pre-commencement conditions). Details have been provided in each case of the date of the decision to grant permission and the duration of the permission granted.

·        Uisce Eireann - correspondence to Minute Item 18.26

·        Barna Recycling – correspondence to Minute Item 15.26.2

Two Correspondences circulated.

·Uisce Eireann - correspondence to Minute Item 18.26

· Barna Recycling – correspondence to Minute Item 15.26.2

No Civic Reception Requests.

No votes of Congratulations/Sympathy.

Members complimented Susan Loughnane and the Athlone MD team for the volume of works done to date with a reduced number of staff in the area. Great feedback from the communities.