Hope that speed limit review will address issues in South Roscommon

Hopes were expressed at a meeting of Athlone Municipal District that an upcoming review of the current speed limit bye-laws in the county would address issues at two locations in South Roscommon.

At the November meeting of the Athlone MD, councillors had agreed to submit a proposal to the Chief Executive Shane Tiernan to introduce certain speed limit bye-laws which would extend out the 60km/hr speed limit zone at two locations.

The proposal from MD Chairperson, Cllr John Keogh, called for the extension of these speed limit zones out to Bealnamulla to include the local soccer pitch, with a similar extension from Brideswell village to include Cam Community Centre.

Independent councillor Emer Kelly tabled a motion at the most recent meeting inquiring about progress on the Brideswell issue.

At the meeting, Cllr Keogh, Cllr Kelly and their colleagues welcomed the written response from the chief executive. He confirmed that the two locations outlined would be included in the speed limit bye-laws review required for Phase 2 of the National speed limit review.

Phase 2 deals with national secondary roads and urban roads where speed limit changes are due to take effect in April. The review of these changes is expected to take place in the first half of 2025.

Cllr Keogh hoped that this speed limit review would address the two issues in Bealnamulla and Brideswell.

Independent councillor Tony Ward also said he would like to see Active Travel measures in both areas involving an extension of footpaths out to the Bealnamulla soccer pitch and Cam Community Centre.

Cllr Ward said it didn’t make sense for a bus to be hired to bring children from Bealnamulla to the pitch, which is a very short distance away. He went on to say that because of the busy road outside Brideswell village, it was unsafe for people and children using Cam Community Centre and the adjacent football pitches.

Cllr Ward also highlighted the need to remove a severe bend on that road while Cllr Kelly sought a timeline on a survey being undertaken on that bend as part of future works.

Councillors Laurence Fallon and Domnick Connolly also supported the motion.