Baylough junction in line for €100k revamp

Over €100,000 is to be spent on a long-awaited redevelopment of the Roscommon Road junction at Baylough, Athlone.

The council said the work would see the installation of “traffic signals and pedestrian crossings” on the three approaches to the junction where the old Galway Road meets the Roscommon Road. The project would also rearrange the “haphazard” parking at this location, according to the local authority.

The work, which is to be funded by the council through its development contributions, is due to take place “within the next three to four months” after it was approved by members at the October meeting of the Athlone Municipal District.

Athlone Mayor Aengus O’Rourke has been lobbying for work to take place here for some time and he said the project would make the junction safer for all road users.

“I am very pleased that we can finally say that, by spring 2018, the Roscommon Road junction will be redeveloped,” said Cllr O’Rourke. 

“This is great news as it will not only tidy up this awkward junction but this investment will leave us with a more organised and safer junction for all road users - drivers, walkers, and cyclists.

He said the €120k investment will the introduction of pedestrian crossing points and traffic lights which will allow for a safe right turn into Baylough from the Roscommon Road and also for cars turning right coming from town onto the Roscommon Road.

“I will organise a meeting for local stakeholders to attend along with our engineers in order to fully explain the plan and ensure that there is clarity around the project,” he added.

Councillors Frankie Keena and Michael O’Brien also voiced their approval of the project at the Athlone Municipal District meeting.