Further safety measures sought at Cornamaddy roundabout

The implementation of additional public safety measures at Cornamaddy roundabout in Athlone was unanimously supported by members at the monthly sitting of Athlone-Moate Municipal District.

Raising the issue, Cllr Frankie Keena called on the Municipal District to undertake immediate action in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Active Travel measures to provide increased safety measures for all road and footpath users at the roundabout.

"On foot of a number of minor traffic incidents which have taken place at the roundabout I have received a number of representations from the public expressing their safety concerns at this location. There is a large number of residents in the locality who, on their travels, are feeding off, and putting traffic pressure on this roundabout.

"The roundabout is on a main arterial route into Athlone from the north so there are large volumes of traffic using it on a daily basis," Cllr Keena said.

Cllr Keena also stated that the proximity of Cornamaddy National School gave cause for "much traffic activity" at the location, expressing his concerns that vehicles were failing to reduce their speed as they approached the roundabout.

"Working together with TII and Active Travel, we should be in a position to fast track and implement safety measures at this roundabout," Cllr Keena added.

Cllr John Dolan said there was "certainly a body of work" to be undertaken to ensure improve safety at the roundabout.

"This is a seriously dangerous location at what has now become an extremely busy junction.

This is a safety issue which has become a cause for concern for quite a while. I have had a number of representations from frustrated residents who believe that a major accident is in danger of happening at the roundabout," Cllr Dolan said.

The Fine Gael councillor queried if the District had to wait for "all the different agency strands to align" before "much-needed" safety measures were implemented.

"Can we work separately of each other to make this roundabout safer for public use?" Cllr Dolan added.

Cllr John Gibbons said that he had been made aware of an incident at the roundabout in recent days where a car had overturned.

"I do feel that the pedestrian crossings are located too close to the roundabout and do not allow time for drivers to reduce their speed as they approach. If there are no safety measures introduced soon there will be more accidents here," Cllr Gibbons said.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke said that any safety measures introduced at the Cornamaddy roundabout should be replicated at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre and B&Q roundabouts.

"In my view, roundabouts do not deal with pedestrians and cyclists in the same manner that they do with motorists. Would it be possible to implement a design scheme whereby traffic lights are installed at our roundabouts?

"There is a serious piece of safety work needed at this particular roundabout as the volume of traffic is only going in one direction at this location," Cllr O'Rourke said.

Responding, District Engineer Willie Ryan acknowledged that the proximity of the pedestrian crossings to the Cornamaddy roundabout had previously been raised with the council's transportation department.

"The District will explore options including advancing active travel proposals with Active Travel and transportation colleagues who are currently engaging with the TII. Furthermore, the District will engage with An Garda Siochana given that the primary issue here would appear to be vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit," Mr Ryan said.