Council to assess busy Sarsfield Square junction

An appraisal of the junction at the entrance to Sarsfield Square in Athlone to ascertain if a new traffic control system is required will be undertaken by the Municipal District.

Elected members of Athlone-Moate Municipal District were informed of the decision taken by the local authority in response to a motion raised by Independent Councillor John Gibbons in which he expressed the concerns of estate residents who are spending a considerable amount of time trying to enter and exit Sarsfield Square due to the high volume of traffic on the road.

"This is certainly a problematic location on what is an extremely busy road into the town centre. While there is a yellow box clearly marked on the road it can be covered by the flow of traffic causing major enter and exit issues into the estate," Cllr Gibbons said.

Cllr John Dolan questioned the merit of painting a double yellow box at the location.

"At times you are taking your life in your hands turning right and heading out of Athlone as the traffic flow is blocked from view," Cllr Dolan said.

Describing the junction as "hit or miss", Cllr Aengus O'Rourke stated that the installation of a ramp at the location would make a "huge difference" to the traffic flow.

Cllr Paul Hogan noted that the junction was at its "safest" during peak times of traffic.

"The junction is most dangerous when there is a steady flow of traffic going past it heading for town. A double yellow box might be a viable solution. It is just unfortunate that the entrance to Sarsfield Square is located on the busiest approach road in to town," Cllr Hogan said.

Confirming that an appraisal of the junction would be forthcoming, a spokesperson for the Municipal District said that the adjacent greenway crossing would need to be considered in any traffic control adjustments as any changes have the potential to impact both junctions.