Athlone’s traffic woes ‘the top issue raised by public’ - Keena

Traffic management issues remain a source of ongoing angst in Athlone, the town's Mayor, Cllr Frankie Keena, has said.

Speaking at this month's meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District, Cllr Keena said poor traffic management continues to top the list of issues on which he regularly receives representations from the public.

"Of all the representations I receive, the issue of traffic management is always one which resonates. Those living in the town or those commuting into Athlone for work are becoming increasingly frustrated with the build up of traffic along the main access routes, causing delays to their daily journeys.

"These commuters then turn to using 'rat runs' on smaller roads to avoid traffic congestion which has a detrimental impact elsewhere within built-up areas of our town," Cllr Keena said.

The Mayor stressed that a solution needed to be found, stating that the council executive needed to become more "proactive" in this regard.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke agreed, stating that traffic management was now a "town-wide" issue.

"We are a victim of our own success here in Athlone, that is a positive, but in my view we are not approaching this situation with an open mind," said Cllr O'Rourke.

"Who is actually monitoring our traffic situation? We definitely need a fresh pair of eyes to assess our traffic management problems."

Referencing the original relief road project which diverted traffic from the town's main thoroughfares when it opened in the early 1990s, Cllr Paul Hogan stated that the growth in traffic since was such that there now was a need for several link roads around Athlone to alleviate congestion.

"A number of big towns have link roads in operation, helping to alleviate traffic congestion, and I do firmly believe that this is the way forward for us as a Municipal District. There is a need to construct outer roads which will link the town without having to drive through the heart of Athlone.

"A number of link roads would benefit our town, one such suggestion being a route from Creggan to the N55, near Colm Quinn's, via east of Blyry Industrial Estate. A second suggestion would be a link road from Creggan to Golden Island via Loughandonning.

"Both of these link roads would essentially provide an outer 'C' link road around the town, taking pressure off the N55 Ballymahon Road, R916 Cornamaddy Road and the R446 Dublin Road which are all at capacity," Cllr Hogan said.

Cllr John Dolan queried how such a traffic management plan would be eventually implemented.

"We, as a council, haven't a plan to provide a plan to deal with our current traffic management issues. We do need joined-up thinking from our council executive to suggest a plan, so that we as public representatives can go to the Government and seek the funding necessary to deal with the issue," Cllr Dolan added.

Reiterating his earlier comments, Cllr Keena stated that the public were becoming "more and more annoyed" with the increasing traffic congestion levels in the town.

"Currently, if we make minor adjustments in one particular area of town, it has a negative impact on the traffic situation at another location. We just need to have a united front and address the issue as soon as possible," Cllr Keena said.

Responding, Director of Services Jackie Finney stated that it would take a substantial sum of money to assess the traffic situation for the town in its entirety.

"Yes, we want Athlone to grow long into the future. We need to access funding for a broader traffic study and then assess any recommendations which may arise from such analysis in due course.

"I will revert back to the chamber in two months time with a plan," the Director of Services said.