Concerns raised over lack of progress on Athlone's link roads
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Concerns have been raised over the lack of progress on proposed link roads to help alleviate traffic congestion.
Cllr Paul Hogan raised the issue at the most recent meeting of Athlone-Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council through a motion asking council management to "provide the status of each link road in Athlone as identified in the ABTA (Area Based Transport Assessment) report 2023."
The 2023 ABTA (Area Based Transport Assessment) report for Athlone details the town's transport needs, including potential link road solutions.
He said in the case of a proposed link road from Coosan to Cornamaddy, it ws a year on since a previous discussion, and the situation appeared to be no further on.
" It's concerning," Cllr Hogan said speaking to the council chamber on Monday, June 9.
"Look at Mullingar and Tullamore, any major town has a link road around the town. We need to start moving these projects along. I certainly don't want to be here after five years, and nothing's been done in regard to traffic congestion and link roads."
Area Based Transport Assessment report sets out the possible long-term development of a number of other new link roads in the town, most notably an 'East Athlone Relief Route' that would connect the M6 motorway, at junction 8, with the N55 Ballymahon Road, north of Cornamaddy, while on the west side of the town the creation of a link road from the Monksland area to the N61 Roscommon Road is another objective.
He received the support of his fellow councillors, who also highlighted the need to take action on plans for link roads in the town.
Cllr Frankie Keena voiced his support of the motion, stating that Mullingar is "7 to 8 months ahead in relation to link roads" and Athlone is "bottle-necked in relation to traffic".
“On the northside of the town, we have traffic coming in from Cavan, and from Longford. In this modern day, we need to find ways to redirect traffic off of these country roads.
“There's this attitude that ring roads in Athlone need to be developer funded – that's crazy. We need to be more forward thinking, and we need to take action.”
Cllr John Dolan added the council need to take responsibility for the success of Athlone, and expressed concerns that the town would lose projects due to the traffic gridlock.
“This future planning preparation is on us. We should see the growth projections that are there," added Cllr Aengus O'Rourke.
“We have lost time already on this – this has to be led by us. This is a measure of any local authority to future proof their town.”
The written response of the council management read: "Chapter 8 of the Athlone Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) outlines the phasing of the ABTA Delivery Plan. Measures are divided
into the following phasing’s: Short Term (up to 2030), Medium Term (up to 2035), Long Term (up to 2040)."
In response to the discussion, Council Director of Services Jackie Finney said: “In terms of a circular road, nothing is short or medium term, it does take time.”
Cllr Hogan concluded that he will keep bringing the question of link roads in Athlone to the table every six months if necessary.
He added: "We will see where we stand in 18 months time."