Frustration as Athlone Castle works remove parking for third summer

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Local businesses neighbouring Athlone Castle have raised concerns over the timing of major construction works that will result in on-street parking spaces being unavailable for approximately six months.

The parking spaces around Athlone Castle are due to be taken out of use from Monday, July 13, to facilitate the next phase of the Athlone Castle Interpretation, Facilities and Visitor Journey Enhancement Project.

A notice issued by Westmeath County Council to businesses in the area confirmed that on-street parking spaces at Market Place, along with spaces on Castle Street and Main Street, would be temporarily occupied by the project’s works contractor for an estimated six-month period.

The notice advised businesses with queries or seeking further information to contact the council’s Regeneration and Capital Projects Team.

The latest disruption comes as the Castle area and the west side of Athlone enter a third consecutive summer affected by significant construction activity.

While acknowledging the importance of the works, some residents and business owners have expressed frustration that one of the town’s key visitor areas is again operating under restrictions during its busiest period.

Independent coffee shop Spill The Beans shared its concerns on Instagram, stating that “it honestly feels as though the needs of local businesses have not been considered in the timing of this project”.

Community activist Mickey Moran said he had spoken with a number of people involved in organising summer festivals and events in the Castle area, many of whom were unhappy with the timing of the project.

“I have been speaking to several people on the west side of the town involved in organising summer festivals and activities, many of which are based around the Castle area. They are furious,” he said.

“There have been hundreds of hours of voluntary work gone into making these summer festivals a success.”

Mr Moran, who has been involved in organising community events including festivals and the Pop-Up Gaeltacht, said he understood the commitment required to deliver such events.

“I simply cannot understand why these works must take place during the peak tourist season,” he said.

He added that the impact on independent businesses could be significant.

“It must be utterly devastating for independent local businesses, who are offering tremendous value to our tourist industry, to be served with these notices,” Mr Moran said.

“For a town that has an ever-increasing number of vacant shop fronts and empty buildings, it is utter insanity that local businesses are not consulted when these decisions are made.”

While recognising the importance of the Castle enhancement project, Mr Moran questioned whether more engagement could have taken place before the construction schedule was finalised.

“No one doubts the necessity of these important works,” he said. “But why have local businesses not been consulted as to the timing of these works?

“Rather than issuing letters stating that parking spaces have been removed, surely businesses could have been engaged door to door and a consensus around timing reached?"

Ss Peter's and Paul's Parish Priest Fr. John Deignan has also expressed his 'deep disappointment' over the restrictions.

"While I want to state clearly that I am fully supportive of development and progress within our town, the manner in which this decision has been handled is frustrating.

"Once again, there was no prior consultation with the public or local business owners, and, more concerningly, there appears to be no provision for alternative parking arrangements during this lengthy closure."