Revised plan agreed over parking closure on Athlone's west side following backlash
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A revised plan has been agreed for parking closures next to Athlone Castle, following backlash over the announcement of a six-month closure of spaces on the west side of the town with consultation with businesses in the area.
Local businesses received letters stating that the parking spaces around Athlone Castle were due to be taken out of use from Monday last (July 13) to facilitate the next phase of the Athlone Castle Interpretation, Facilities and Visitor Journey Enhancement Project.
The notice, issued by Westmeath County Council, 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.
New revisions to the proposed closure include an agreement that no major disruption will take place before the August Bank Holiday weekend.
This will allow events including Féile na Sionainne, the Athlone River Festival and other planned activities to proceed without the level of disruption originally proposed.
In addition, the initial proposal to close the entire Market Place parking area is now being revised and discussions are ongoing with business owners.
Councillor Aengus O'Rourke criticised Westmeath County Council over its handling of planned parking changes, saying both elected representatives and affected businesses were excluded from the decision-making process.
The Fianna Fáil councillor said he only became aware of the plans when he encountered council staff delivering the letters, describing the method of communication as "not acceptable".
"My biggest concern is that the elected members of Westmeath County Council were not informed or consulted before these decisions were made.
"Had councillors been involved, I would not have accepted the original proposals as presented. It is unacceptable that we were bypassed in a decision with such serious implications for the west side of Athlone."
Cllr O'Rourke added that businesses should have been consulted ahead of the announcement of plans for the closure.
"Instead of genuine engagement, they were presented with a fait accompli through a hand-delivered letter. I have spoken with, or received communications from, most businesses in the area, and I completely understand their frustration. They deserved to have their voices heard before decisions were made, not afterwards."
Despite his criticism of the consultation process, the councillor reiterated his support for investment in Athlone Castle, describing the project as important for the long-term future of one of the town's key heritage attractions.
"However, there is a right way and a wrong way to deliver projects of this scale. Ignoring both local stakeholders and the elected councillors who represent them is simply not good enough," he said.
"Better communication, proper consultation and practical planning would have avoided much of the unnecessary anxiety and frustration experienced over recent days."
The councillor added he is "disappointed" in the approach, and has discussed his concerns with council officials so that it will "never happen again".