Progress report sought on works at 'death trap' junction

A progress report on planned improvement works at a junction, described  as a "death trap", which turns off to St. Brigid’s GAA Club in South Roscommon was sought at the February meeting of the Athlone Municipal District.

Cathaoirleach of the MD Cllr John Keogh explained that out of 107 measures identified in a N61 safety report, several junction improvement works were prioritised, including the junction which turns off to St. Brigid’s GAA Club.

The other junctions prioritised are St. John’s Church, Kiltoom junction, Ballybay National School and Ballymurray.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said that there had been a recent accident at the St. Brigid’s junction and he was being contacted frequently in relation to this junction.

Cllr Keogh said progress was being made but that councillors needed to know about the timeframe regarding design, whether a CPO would be required and also the funding of the works.

He said TTI was committed to addressing these junctions but the original announcement was made more than a year ago. He said the St. Brigid’s junction came up in 2017 with the TII and it was time for the works to be “moving on”.

“We don’t want to see any fatalities but it’s only a matter of time if this is not done,” said Cllr Keogh.

Independent councillor Laurence Fallon said he thought the St. John’s Church junction was  also going to be done now, but Cllr Keogh said that the St. Brigid’s junction had been identified as the priority.

Fine Gael councillor Domnick Connolly said that all of those junctions needed to be done but especially the St. Brigid’s one, given the significant level of activity going down to the club grounds. “The junction is a death trap and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible,” he said.

Councillors were informed that work was continuing on the design strategy for the junction.