Calls for safety measures at Retreat Road railway bridge
A local councillor has called for a "practical, short-term intervention" to improve safety at the narrow railway bridge adjacent to the Marist College school entrance on Athlone's Retreat Road.
At this month's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Frankie Keena highlighted the "serious dangers" posed to pedestrians and cyclists at this location, saying it was a a stretch of road that represents a "major" safety hazard.
"There is currently no footpath across the bridge, even though hundreds of students from three secondary schools, along with residents, walk across it on a daily basis. It has become a significant pinch point where pedestrians and vehicles must compete for limited space, creating serious safety concerns," Cllr Keena said.
The councillor said the current situation at the railway bridge was "simply not acceptable".
"The bridge is extremely narrow and forces pedestrians and vehicles into the same confined space. This creates massive safety concerns, particularly during school start and finishing times.
"A practical short-term intervention is needed immediately to improve safety at this location," he argued.
The Fianna Fáil councillor noted that the council's 'Active Travel' team was developing wider plans for the "entire Retreat Road corridor" but he said it could be a number of years before these proposed works materialise.
"In the meantime, I am calling for an interim safety solution to be identified and progressed as a matter of urgency to improve pedestrian safety at this location," he said.
Cllr Keena felt that the "ultimate long-term solution" to the safety issue at the railway bridge should involve the "construction of a dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge" over the railway line.
"Such a bridge would provide a safe, modern and sustainable solution for students, residents and all road users while removing pedestrians from this dangerous bottleneck permanently,” he added.
Describing the location as a "pinchpoint", Cllr John Dolan said an increase in the number of cars and school buses crossing the railway bridge at certain times of the day result in congestion and heightened safety concerns.
"The situation as it stands is a 'perfect storm' waiting to happen. Perhaps installing bollards there might work as an interim solution," said Cllr Dolan.
Responding, District Engineer, Willie Ryan, stated that the edge of the road which crosses the railway bridge had been painted red in 2009 as a safety measure for pedestrians.
"There are also speed ramps installed either side of the bridge which are aimed at slowing down vehicles as they approach the (bridge)," Mr Ryan added.
The District Engineer told the elected members that the local authority's Active Travel department were in the final stages of updating the initial preliminary designs for the Lower Road, Grace Park Road, Retreat Road and Cartrontroy Road 'route corridor', adding that a non-statutory public consultation on these proposals was expected to take place later this month.