New Athlone streetscape works to open in March 2024
The new Athlone streetscape works, which will see a total revamp of Mardyke Street and the pedestrianisation of Sean Costello Street, will open to the public in March of next year.
The February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District was also told this week that the first phase of the project – on Mardyke Street – is due to begin on March 2 and will be completed by August 4.
Works are due to begin on Pump Lane on June 20 and be completed by September.
An outline of the timeline for the long-awaited project was provided to Councillors at this week’s meeting by Blathnaid Cox from Westmeath County Council’s Regeneration Team, who said the works “will involve road closures” including Pump Lane and Mardyke Street and once Sean Costello street closes to traffic it will remain closed as it is due to be pedestrianised.
The streetscape works will see a 90-metre stretch of Sean Costello Street being pedestrianised between Flannery’s Pub and The Stairwell (formerly Murphy’s Law licenced premises).
Ms. Cox told Councillors that the plans will include bike racks and water refill points on Mardyke Street and that the existing loading bay will be retained. She also added that there will be “a restriction on works” during the month of December to take into account the busy Christmas shopping period.
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke asked if there was any update on the O’Neill’s site. “I hear that a buyer may have been found” he said “and he also called on the regeneration team to provide elected members with “a refresher” on the manner in which the various junctions are to be treated as part of the streetscape works. In particular, he said he would like to know a bit more about how the traffic configuration in the St. Mary’s Square area is to be dealt with.
Cllr Louise Heavin said she would like to see the regeneration project using timber seating, but Cllr John Dolan said he would prefer to see composite materials being used, which are made from recycled plastic and are environmentally friendly.
Ms. Cox told the meeting that the regeneration team will be providing “regular updates” to Councillors throughout the duration of the streetscape works, the contract for which was signed with Kildare-based building and civil engineering firm, John Cradock Ltd., before Christmas.