Lanes at Coosan bypass junction confusing - Cllr Shaw

Cllr Alan Shaw has said that the traffic lanes at the new Coosan bypass junction are confusing for motorists. At the February meeting of Athlone Town Council he called on the local authority to undertake a review of the traffic light system and sequencing at the junction where there are dangers for drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the new traffic management system. The council executive said a road safety audit had been carried out at the junction and it highlighted no dangers for traffic. It advised that if there were any particular concerns they should be brought to the attention of the town engineer. Cllr Shaw said the junction was continuing to prove somewhat difficult for road users to navigate through and said in terms of the audit he didn't think there was any audit better than the public using it. Director of Services Barry Kehoe asked if people were identifying hazards or simply ways that would improve the junction if the sequencing was changed. He said safety was the council's priority. Cllr Shaw replied that it was a combination of the two and he said there was an issue with road markings. "Motorists are finding they are in one lane going straight ahead and then they have to move to the left lane and they have to use their mirrors," he said.