Council wants public input on 'a vision for Athlone'

Westmeath County Council said it wants the local community to get involved in a new online survey designed to lead to 'a vision for Athlone'.

The survey, on the theme of urban design and regeneration, will aim to further develop the town's growing cultural and tourism status in the years ahead.

It will go online, at athloneframework.ie, at 9am on Monday next, April 11, and can be filled out between then and 5pm on April 22.

The impending launch of the survey comes after local councillors expressed frustration, earlier this week, at the slow pace of progress on long-planned urban regeneration initiatives.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke told Monday's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District that €3.5 million in funding had been awarded for urban regeneration in Connaught Street and the west side of town almost four years ago, but he had seen "no discernible difference" in the area between then and now.

The planning consultancy firm Turley was recruited by the council last year to work on an the council's 'Urban Design and Regeneration Framework Plan' for Athlone.

The framework plan, which has also been funded by central Government, is seen as a design blueprint for the town in the years ahead.

The survey being launched on Monday is part of the plan's development and "seeks to explore the needs and aspirations of the local community" as well as identifying "opportunities for regeneration" in Athlone.

Westmeath County Council's Cathaoirleach, Cllr Frankie Keena, said the local authority was looking to establish "a vision, alongside a set of priority design interventions, to positively respond to, and continue to build on, Athlone's growing cultural and tourism profile."

Cllr Keena added: "The vision will be an opportunity to embrace the strengths of our town centre and its heritage and to re-imagine the town's public realm and architectural assets.

"We are also interested in changing our relationship with the river and canal and to use them more effectively for recreation and connectivity.

"We are excited to engage with the public and key stakeholders over the coming weeks to gather insights and discuss the regeneration of Athlone."

A director of the Turley consultancy firm, Seamus Donohoe, said the Urban Design and Regeneration Framework was "a chance to plan for a more prosperous and vibrant Athlone."

"We want to ensure Athlone is a great place to live, work and visit – the Framework will set out and help us achieve this ambition," he stated.

Deirdre Reilly, Regeneration Project Manager with Westmeath County Council, added: "We're delighted to be able to launch this survey, which provides an opportunity for residents, communities and local businesses to help shape proposals, and set out priorities for the future of Athlone.

"I would encourage anyone who lives or works in the town to complete the survey, so we can take their views into account."

Monday's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District was told that the latest town centre regeneration project in the Mardyke Street area - which is to include the pedestrianisation of Sean Costello Street - had been delayed and would now be starting "later this year."

The meeting also heard that the council expects to have "a full and final plan" for the regeneration of Athlone by July.