Work to begin on new footpaths and speed ramps in Ballymore

Work on a €200,000 project at High Street in Ballymore, which will see the installation of new footpaths, a speed ramp, and a raised junction, is set to get underway in the coming days.

In response to a question from Cllr Vinny McCormack, this week's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District was told that funding for the work in Ballymore had been secured through the National Transport Authority (NTA) active travel – junction tightening programme.

Councillors were told a design for the work had been completed and approved, and that site works were due to start "in the coming days" and be finished by the end of November.

Cllr McCormack welcomed the update, saying the work would enhance pedestrian safety by providing the new footpaths, speed ramp and a raised junction at the Moate road junction in the village.

"The plan which has been put in place by the District Engineer is hugely positive and will help ensure a safer area for pedestrians, particularly children who are exiting and entering Scoil Eoin Naofa," said the Fianna Fáil representative.

"I have been highlighting my concerns for this area for some time. At school pick up and drop off times it is a hive of activity, and we urgently needed an intervention to deal with excessive traffic speeds and protect our schoolchildren.

"I believe the proposed works will be a huge help in dealing with speed, whilst also providing safe passage from the Church to the school and down the Moate Road.

"I want to thank District Engineer Willie Ryan for working to secure €200,000 of funding from the NTA to carry out this work.

"Having met with the Engineer on site, and outlined the issues a number of months ago, it is great to secure this funding in such a short time frame.

"We undoubtedly still need to work on reducing speed throughout the village, as we also need to tackle the same problem across many other towns and villages, however this is a very positive step at a very busy junction which I know the whole community will welcome," said Cllr McCormack.

At this week's meeting he asked if the District Engineer was confident the project would be fully completed by the end of November.

Mr Ryan replied that this was an "ambitious" timeframe, and one that was weather-dependent, but he was hopeful it would be met.

"We're hoping to move on this in days rather than weeks," he added.