One-way traffic through Athlone's Strand area begins on Friday

One-way westbound traffic through the centre of Athlone is due to resume this Friday (May 11) with a new route that will see cars being diverted through the riverside area of The Strand.  

Through traffic on Church Street has been closed for the last seven weeks in order to allow streetscape works take place at the 'bottleneck' by Dublingate Street and the top of Griffith Street. 

From Friday, the council's one-way 'orange loop' around the town will re-open with cars having to turn left from Mardyke Street onto Griffith Street. They will then continue westwards along by the Strand before being directed back up to the Custume Place junction beside the town bridge. 

Because of the narrowness of the road in the Griffith Street/Strand area, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will not be allowed to use the new route. 

In a statement this week, the council said the reopening of the Orange Loop was "a significant milestone" for the Church Street enhancement project which will see streetscape works continuing for the rest of the year. 

"The works to the top of Griffith Street are to a high standard and will be completed on schedule by contractors for the scheme, John Craddock Ltd, allowing one way westbound traffic flow through the town again," said the council's statement. 

"Athlone remained fully open for business throughout this initial phase of the works and the emerging streetscape improvements are now becoming evident."

Mayor Aengus O’Rourke thanked the local community for their patience and support during this important development project and apologised for any inconvenience. 

“The newly enhanced, high quality area, due to be completed in 2018, will be an inviting, welcoming space for shoppers, tourists, pedestrians and the wider local community, allowing the area to flourish as a thriving shopping, business and social district," said Cllr O'Rourke.