Plans progressing for two further active travel routes
Information event next week on pedestrian and cycling plans
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Westmeath County Council is set to hold a public information and feedback session next week on plans for the next two phases of the Athlone Active Travel scheme.
Preliminary designs for a route from Garrycastle to the Crescent junction in town, via Cartrontroy, Retreat Road and Grace Park Road (Route E), and another from the Ankers Bower roundabout to John Broderick Street in Golden Island, via MacDiarmada Road, (Route B2), will be on display in Athlone Civic Centre on Thursday, August 27, from 4pm to 8pm.
The works are due to involve a significant upgrade of pedestrian and cycling lanes and infrastructure along both routes. Council staff and members of the design team will be available at the Civic Centre during the four-hour session to answer questions and discuss the proposals with members of the public.
The initial designs will also remain available to view online following the event, allowing people who cannot attend the session in person to examine the proposals and provide feedback.
The Garrycastle to Athlone town centre active travel route, Route E, is the third of six proposed active travel schemes to progress to public consultation, forming part of the wider Athlone Active Travel Schemes bundle.
The route is approximately 2.5 kilometres in length and is planned to provide improved facilities for people walking and cycling from the Garrycastle area to the Retreat Road and into Athlone town centre.
Some €85,000 has been allocated towards Route E for 2026 under Westmeath County Council’s Active Travel Allocation.
The plans for Athlone's first active travel route, Route B, were first shared with the public last year.
The 2.7km scheme is planned to run along the R446 Old Dublin Road from the Ankers Bower Roundabout to the Creggan Roundabout when complete.
The preliminary designs for Route B2 section of the scheme, running for 0.7km from the Ankers Bower Roundabout to John Broderick Street in Golden Island via MacDiarmada Road, will also take place at Athlone Civic Centre on Thursday, August 27, from 4pm to 8pm.
The wider €13 million plan aims to develop 16km of active travel infrastructure across Athlone, with the six proposed routes designed to improve connections between residential areas, schools, workplaces, local amenities and other key destinations.
The council says the overall programme is intended to encourage more people to walk and cycle, reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, improve safety and accessibility, and support healthier lifestyles.
Feedback on the Route E and Route B2 proposals will be accepted until close of business on Friday, September 11. Comments can be submitted in writing to the Active Travel Section at Athlone Civic Offices or by email to activetravel@westmeathcoco.ie.