McFadden calls for public vote on Athlone one-way traffic plan

Athlone-based Senator Gabrielle McFadden has called for a plebiscite, or public vote, on the one-way traffic system proposed for the Church Street area of Athlone.

The one-way westbound traffic system is a controversial element of Westmeath County Council's proposed €3m enhancement of the town's central street.

Senator McFadden, who opposes the one-way plan, said it was a 'very divisive' issue and that 'the people of Athlone should be given the opportunity to voice their opinion.' 

“Plebiscites have been used in various parts of Ireland to ask the public for their opinion on issues such as name changes, pay and display parking and taking in charge of estates – why shouldn’t we allow the people of Athlone decide on the future of their town centre?' she said.

“The Council has sought submissions and the Chief Executives is currently drafting a report to be brought before the full Council. It is provisionally listed on the agenda for Monday next. 

'The report will have a summary of all written submissions received; a consideration of these submissions; and a recommendation from the Chief Executive.

'I believe that one of the options put to Councillors should be to have a plebiscite on the issue.

“While the enhancement of the streetscape in Church Street is both welcome and necessary, I am concerned with the part of the plan which proposes making this into a one-way street. 

“Anyone who thinks back to 2008, when a one-way system was piloted previously will recall that the changes to traffic flow drove people out of the town centre and businesses suffered as a consequence.

“I saw the devastation that the one-way system caused in 2008 and I organised a campaign ‘No Way to the One Way’ to have the decision overturned. We gathered 4,500 signatures and presented them to Councillors who decided to listen to the people and revert to a two-way system.

“Church Street is the heartbeat of Athlone and to do anything that would diminish it as a business district would be a huge blow to the centre of town. There is no point in having a beautiful streetscape on a dead street.

“I believe that the council have not considered all of the options and that we should not proceed with this work until there is agreement from those who are going to be affected most – the people of Athlone,” she concluded.