Council confirms free Athlone Christmas parking arrangements

Shoppers in Athlone will once again enjoy free Christmas parking in all council car parks in the build-up to festivities.

However, there is some doubt whether the usual placement of a large Christmas tree at Market Square, close to Ss Peter & Paul's Church, will be possible this year due to ongoing roadworks in the area.

Recently, the council issued notification that a contractor would be carrying out a programme of works at the Market Square/Elliot Road junction for an eight-week period which began on Thursday, September 3. In response to a question on the matter by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, District Manager Annie Blessington said the council would need to be address the contractor on the matter.

The €200,000 project involves a reconfiguration of the junction and a new pedestrian crossing being put in place between the Luan Gallery and the church. The new crossing will be closer to the roundabout itself than the existing Luan Gallery pedestrian crossing, which is being removed.

The annual free parking initiative, meanwhile, is designed to help support local trade during a vital time of year for retailers and has been running for well over a decade now.

News of the decision to continue the initiative this year were confirmed at Athlone-Moate Municipal District after the issue was raised by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, and unanimously supported by his fellow councillors.

Cllr O'Rourke suggested the Christmas suspension of parking charges in all council-owned car parks in Athlone should take place from Friday, December 18 to Friday, December 25. All council members agreed to the proposal and council Mayor Liam McDaniel said it was fitting for the initiative to continue in 'the spirit of Christmas'. The exact timings for the suspension will be fully confirmed by the council in due course.