Calls for traffic calming scheme for Ballinahown village

Westmeath County Council is to compile a report on the award-winning village of Ballinahown later this year to determine its suitability for the introduction of a traffic calming scheme.

The issue of a safety scheme for the village, which is located on the Westmeath border with Offaly, was raised at the January meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District by local Fine Gael Cllr, John Dolan. He tabled a question to the meeting seeking an update on what progress, if any, had been made on a safety scheme “to ensure speed reduction” in the village, and a timeline for any works being done.

The written response from the council executive said there is ongoing engagement between the transportation department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) with a view to prioritising traffic calming measures in towns and villages “located on the national road network” across county Westmeath.

Certain criteria must be met in order to be considered for prioritisation, among them being collision history, accident frequency and severity, among others. The response said it is intended to commence a “feasibility and options report” for Ballinahown village later this year in order to see if it meets the required criteria.

The response from the council also referenced the introduction of traffic calming measures in 2024 on the local road passing the school in Ballinahown, and said these measures had “significantly improved” the school environment and the northern approach to the village.