Council gives go-ahead for one-way traffic systems

A one-way traffic system on Patrick Street and a section of Ball Alley Lane on the Connaught side of Athlone is set to be introduced after it was approved by councillors at the February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District.

The meeting heard that a one-way traffic system is also to be introduced in Ave Maria Terrace and Park in Moate, and on the local roads adjacent to the N62/R446 junction (the Birr turn) in Fardrum.

The proposed one-way system for Patrick Street, which starts at the side of Maguire’s pub, will see the traffic coming up from the direction of Parnell Square, while the proposals for Ball Alley Lane will see all traffic coming from the direction of Bastion Street proceeding in an one-way system into Parnell Square. A new 1.5m footpath will also be installed in Ball Alley Lane, but there will be no change to the existing private car parking in the area.

The one way system was effectively in existence at Ball Alley Lane already.

In relation to Ave Maria Terrace and Park in Moate, all traffic coming from the direction of The Newtown out to The Turnpike will proceed in a one-way direction through Ave Maria Terrace and Ave Maria Park.

Municipal District Manager, Jackie Finney, told members that, as part of the public consultation process, plans for the proposed one-way systems had gone on display in Athlone Civic Office from November 30 to December 30 last.

“We received one submission from Ave Maria Terrace and Park in Moate, and no submissions in relation to Patrick Street and Ball Alley Lane in Athlone,” she said, adding that the council were recommending that the one-way systems be implemented.

In relation to the local roads adjacent to the N62, Ms. Finney said 11 submissions had been received, all of which had been in favour of the introduction of a one-way system in the interest of improved traffic safety.

In welcoming the new one-way system in Moate, Cllr Vinny McCormack described it as “a very good move to solve the traffic problems that exist in this area.”

The recommendation for a one-way system in the Patrick Street and Ball Alley Lane in Athlone came from a meeting of a car parking sub-committee of Westmeath County Council in September of last year, details of which were outlined to members at the October monthly meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District.