No change in timeline for Ballinahown and Glasson road safety works

Progress on plans for road safety work in Ballinahown and Glasson villages remains slow, despite councillors demanding speedier action.

Despite urgent calls having been made for quicker timeline for traffic calming measures in the villages of Ballinahown and Glasson, Westmeath County Council last week reaffirmed that it is planned to start work on a report on the issue late this year.

Previously, at February meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District of the council, Cllr John Dolan asked for action on signage, ramps and other measures to deal with speed in the two villages.

"I want definite timelines for both Glasson and Ballinahown. TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) are looking for us to come to them with a plan, and we haven't delivered our part,” he said at the time.

In a written response in February, the council said it was the hope to "commence a feasibility and options report for Ballinahown Village and Glasson Village later in 2026".

A number of councillors expressed disappointment at the timeframe

“I feel that we're actually failing the people, people are looking to us to deliver a solution to issues in those two villages,” Cllr Dolan said, at the time.

Raising the issue again at the June meeting earlier this month, Cllr Dolan asked for an update on plans for surfacing and safety works in Glasson and Ballinahown.

The council said: “The Transportation Department plans to commence a feasibility and options report for Ballinahown Village and Glasson Village in relation to safety measures in late 2026.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme