Athlone Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, has commended Irish Rail for their recent action to ensure a persistent dumping issue under the railway bridge between St Mel’s and Sarsfield Square is now rectified.
“I have worked very closely with the Sarsfield Square Residents Association and in recent times we have managed to make a number of important improvements to the locality.
“In particular, we have new playground equipment, a new drainage system in place, a gate on the laneway, cleaned out the old St Mel’s pitch, repaired fencing at the Greenway and at present, I am planning to install new changing rooms for Melville United in March.
“However, one persistent problem we had was the dumping of household waste on open ground to the side of the railway bridge going from St Mel’s into Sarsfield Square.
“Despite all our efforts, the culprits were constantly dumping their ashes, cans and general waste in this open space.
“In that regard, I approached Irish Rail last year. The area in question is their property, so I asked if they would consider securing the area by fencing it off.
“It was a big area to fence off, but they agreed late last year to conduct the work in early 2022. I am delighted to see the fence now complete and as a result the area is looking a lot cleaner.
“I want to sincerely thank local Irish Rail management for their support for this initiative and indeed for all the support they give the council, and the town in general,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
