Views to be sought on second Athlone active travel scheme
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Westmeath County Council's plans for a major active travel scheme in Athlone - which would involve a new network of cycle lanes and junction realignments being introduced between the Cornamaddy roundabout and the TUS Athlone campus - are set to go out for public consultation next week.
The council's Part 8 planning bid for the scheme along the R916, linking Cornamaddy Roundabout to the Garrycastle roundabout and on to Wash House Turn at the Dublin Road, next to TUS, will be open for viewing and public feedback from Tuesday next, May 5.
The proposed development, which spans approximately 2.3km, would run along University Road, Garrycastle Road and Bushfield Road at Cornamaddy. The council's scheme is designed to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, while maintaining traffic flow in this busy area of the town.
Key elements of the development include the provision of a 2.2m wide one-way segregated cycle track both sides of the carriageway, along with the provision of 2-metre-wide wide footpaths on both sides of the carriageway, with both "reducing in places where constraints exist".
Other elements of the development include junction realignments, the introduction of raised crossings on all side roads, and dedicated straight-through cycle crossings at junctions.
Signalised crossings for both pedestrians and cyclists are also planned, along with upgrades to the Garrycastle and Altown roundabouts to better accommodate active travel users.
According to the plans, the vehicular carriageway will have a minimum width of 6 metres, or 3 metres' width per lane.
The project was first presented to the public at an information event in September.
The planning process is being carried out through the 'Part 8' process which the council uses for approval of its own developments.
The plans for the development will be available for viewing from May 5 at the council's offices in Athlone and Westmeath, and will also be online at: consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en/
Submissions or observations can be made up until 4pm on June 16 next and should be labelled ‘LAA1 2026 Active Travel Scheme Cornamaddy to Garrycastle (Route F) Athlone’
The Cornamaddy to Wash House Turn Roundabout project is the second route to be advertised as part of the Athlone Active Travel Scheme. The first was the 2.7km stretch of the R446 Old Dublin Road, from the Ankers Bower Roundabout to the Creggan Roundabout.
The active travel measures planned are part of a €13 million plan to develop a 15.4km network of schemes on six approach roads into the town.