O’Rourke welcomes plan for new safety measures on Retreat Road

A local Councillor has said the provision of a pedestrian crossing at Our Lady's Bower secondary school will significantly improve "safety and peace of mind" for all users of Retreat Road.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke welcomed an investment of €40,000 towards the installation of the traffic calming measure at the school, the allocation included as part of active travel funding announced for Athlone this week.

“I have consistently advocated for increased investment on Retreat Road to make it a safer place for all road users, especially the hundreds of school children who use this busy route every day.

"This funding represents an important and long-awaited step towards improving safety for pedestrians and reducing risks at a location that experiences heavy traffic during school hours," Cllr O'Rourke said.

Acknowledging that Retreat Road was "a key access route for several schools and residential areas", Cllr O'Rourke said that parents, students and local residents were continually raising concerns about the lack of a safe crossing point on this busy road.

The funding forms part of a wider €4.1 million allocation for active travel projects across Westmeath, aimed at improving walking and cycling infrastructure and reducing congestion in urban areas.

"In Athlone, there are a number of additional safety measures for which I have previously advocated and thankfully, they too have been included in this funding allocation.

"These works will include pedestrian crossing upgrades at John Broderick Street, Battery Heights, Mount Temple, Annsfield Court and at St. Joseph's Villas.

"I will continue to work with Westmeath County Council, local schools and residents to ensure these projects are delivered as quickly as possible and that further safety improvements are progressed in future funding rounds," Cllr O'Rourke concluded.