Residents frustrated at Clonown Road closure plan

Residents outside Athlone are feeling frustrated over the closure of the Clonown Road.

Westmeath County Council recently published a notice to indicate that it intended to close the L8009 & L8010 Clonown Road, Athlone, periodically from February 14 until December 31 to facilitate the construction of flood defences.

The closure prevents residents from travelling between Athlone and their homes via the Clonown Road.

One local resident who wishes to remain anonymous says the use of the word periodically is insulting. "It's as if people who live on this road aren't people," she says.

"The council should give more courtesy to the people who live there. It has turned my lifestyle upside down and I now have a 12-mile journey instead of two to get into Athlone."

The resident cites the cost of living and rising fuel costs as a reason why the road closure is so upsetting. She believes that local people should have been personally notified about the road closure. "If we knew when they were going to do it we could arrange something.

"If they decide to close the Clonown Road they should signpost the detour more carefully and introduce a stop and go system or traffic lights to facilitate people that live there."

The resident feels the council hides behind the fact that the road is often closed because of poor weather conditions. "One of the alternative routes suggested in Duogue is completely covered in water now," she explains.

Clonown residents now have to travel via the old Galway Road into Athlone - which involves a significant extra journey, particularly for those living between Athlone and Clonown.

It has not been specified when or how often the road closure will occur.