Motorists will decide success of town"s ne-way system

Next Wednesday is D-Day for Athlone motorists as the new one-way system in the town centre is introduced. Athlone Town Council had already approved the long-awaited changes some time ago, and now after public consultation, eagerly await to see how the new system will succeed. Mayor of Athlone Councillor Egbert Moran met with Town Clerk John Walsh yesterday (Tuesday) to discuss the latest on the upcoming traffic changes. The council also held meetings last week with the public to hear their concerns about the new system. 'Both John Walsh and Barry Keogh (Athlone Director of Services) met with residents of the areas concerned and there"s been no negative response,' said Cllr Moran. 'The new system has already been approved a long time ago and there"s been no last minute complaints to us. I think it will go very well.' Athlone Town Council also met with Bus Eireann and Iarnrod Eireann to discuss their concerns that traffic travelling eastwards will now have to take the Southern Station Road, which could cause chaos at the station. But according to Cllr Moran, both companies are now ok following the meeting. However, the owner of a taxi company in Athlone has said that he has not been contacted by the council about the new system. He said as far as he knows, no taxi company, representing around 200 taxis in the town, has been contacted for their opinion. 'We"re not really concerned about the changes, it"s going to happen regardless and I suppose its better for the town,' said the owner. 'It"s sure to help ease congestion especially on Church Street, but I don"t know about up at the station.' Another local businessman who did not want to be named, said that the one-way system will badly affect his business, but that the council has not addressed his concerns. Extra Gardaí will be stationed on the streets over the first few days of the change-over and will oversee the steady flow of traffic. Council staff are also erecting signage to help direct motorists. But Cllr Egbert Moran said that despite the best prepared plans, 'We"ll have to wait and see what happens on the day'. From next Wednesday, Mardyke Street from O"Neill"s Bar, Sean Costello Street from the John Broderick Street junction west to Mardyke Street, Dublingate Street, Church Street, and Custume Place will all be one-way with traffic flowing westwards only towards the Town Bridge. All traffic travelling eastwards across the Town Bridge must now turn left onto Northgate Street. The one-way system will allow the Council to implement 'significant environmental improvements' along the selected streets. It"s also hoped that a decrease in congestion will help business-owners in the town centre.