The following issues were raised by the Members:

1 An update on the Survey requested at the last MD Meeting to be carried out on the condition of footpaths in older estates in Monksland and the wider Athlone MD area, many are in need of repair and replacement.

2. Missing section of footpath on the Curraghboy side of Athleague, request to consider including it in the programme of works for footpaths 2024.

3.The timeframe for erection of the remaining reflective signage for the R363. It was also requested that reflective signage on the road from Ballyforan to Brideswell be considered.

4. Request to carry out verge reinstatement on the Cam, Brideswell R363 road, and also between 4 Roads and Dysart.

5. Cllr L Fallon proposed that a proportion of Planning & Development charges received from quarry developments be retained to help with the cost of reinstating damaged road verges  due to large volume of heavy vehicles using the road.

On the Proposal of:  Cllr L Fallon

          Seconded by:  Cllr T Ward

Members AGREED to send a letter to Planning Section requesting that a proportion of Development levies from quarry developments be retained to reinstate damages road verges from large volumes of Heavy Vehicle use.

6. The survey on the Coolusty Bridge, is it completed.

Members discussed the reply from NWPS in relation to the culling back of deer numbers in Athlone MD area. NWPS advised that the Motion would be best directed to Department of Agriculture as they can only manage the deer herds within the National Parks border.

Caitlín Conneely, Director of Services informed the Members that NWPS did replied to the Motion forwarded to them and that a National Programme is being put in place at the moment.

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Naughten

           Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

Members AGREED to send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture requesting him to intervene as a matter of urgency, as this is a serious matter of increasing numbers of wild deer roaming freely that needs to be addressed immediately  in Athlone MD, Roscommon area, as the National Programme to be rolled out could take a year or more.

On the Proposal of: Cllr L Fallon

          Seconded by:  Cllr J Keogh

Members also AGREED to send a letter to the Minister for Forestry in relation to the large number of wild deer leaving the forest area, which are presenting a serious danger to road users in the Athlone MD area.

Susan Loughnane, Athlone MD Co-Ordinator informed the Members:

1. That footpath reinstatement funding is included in the general roads budget programme  funding and job code will be set up in Q1 of this year to progress with the works.

2 Signage on the R363 will be completed as soon as resources to do so is available, works had been delayed as works due to flooding and storm damage had to be prioritized.

3. The Location in question will be examined and emergency works completed where needed.  Extensive verge widening reinstatement on the R363 would be very costly and additional funding may need to be secured.

4. A survey of the Bridge at Coolusty was carried out by Roads staff.  Further surveys during the Summer time are required for accuracy.  Any proposals will need to be examined carefully to determine any unintended consequences downstream of the bridge.

5. It was agreed to examine the footpath request in Athleague and consider  including it in the programme of works in 2024.

6. A survey of Burnbrook Esate has been carried out.  A number of pinch points have been identified.  A design and costing will be progressed and opportunities for funding explored. Susan Loughnane informed the Members that Public Lighting funding is managed by the Assests & Energy Section.

7. Survey of footpaths in all the older Estates in Athlone MD is not possible as there is not the resources at moment to do it.  During the course of other works in the area footpaths that are in poor condition will be noted.