ronan fagan
The installation of absorptive barriers to mitigate the detrimental impact of traffic noise levels on residents living within the vicinity of the Athlone bypass is one of two recommendations under consideration by Westmeath County Council.
The results of a detailed traffic monitoring survey, conducted by AONA Environmental Conulting Ltd, commissioned by Westmeath County Council, were relayed to elected representatives at the most recent sitting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District.
The results of survey conducted in January, confirmed that traffic noise at seven separate locations, namely Abbeygarth, Priory Park, Arcadia Court, Arcadia Crescent, Cloghanboy Close, Bloomfield Drive and Altown, exceeded recommended guidelines during the day and night.
The survey prepared by the consultants detailed two potential options for reducing noise levels - a lowering of the speed limit on the Athlone bypass from 100km per hour to 80km per hour or the installation of three or four-metre high absorptive noise barriers at residential areas adjoining the dual carriageway.
Addressing the results of the survey, Director of Services, Mr Barry Kehoe, noted that the current guidelines pertaining to noise emanating from the Athlone bypass was not applicable when the route was being constructed.
“Upon receiving the detailed results of this survey, we, as a local authority, have to identify potential sources of funding to implement its recommendations. We have approached TII for funding in this regard, but I am informed that this issue does not form part of their responsibilities, so we must look at alternative options in this regard,” Mr Kehoe stated.
Voicing his ongoing concern, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, stated that the noise levels emanating from the Athlone bypass are having a wholly detrimental impact on the residents living in close proximity to the route.
“The noise levels remain intrusive on all those residents living in the vicinity of the Athlone bypass, so we have to look at all potential sources of funding to ensure that the results of this survey is progressed and a welcome outcome is realised,” Cllr O’Rourke stated.
The councillor noted that it was his belief that the road surface was a major part of the noise issue and one which also needed addressing.
“The present road surface gives cause for much noise emanating from the Athlone bypass and is in need of replacing. I don’t believe that it has been replaced in over a decade. These residents have put up with this issue for far too long now, they don’t have the time to wait,” Cllr O’Rourke added.
His comments were supported by Cllr Frankie Keena who expressed his disappointment that TII were not taking responsibility for the implementation of the proposed survey recommendations.
“I have first hand experience of standing in the back garden of a house which is in the immediate vicinity of the bypass and you just can’t hear yourself talk,” Cllr Keena remarked.
Independent councillor, Paul Hogan, stated that the proposed reduction of the speed limit from 100km per hour to 80km per hour was “impractical and dangerous”, noting that the impacted residents had been making representations pertaining to the issue to the local authority for 30 years.
Responding to the queries posed by the elected representatives, the Director of Services noted that the implementation of a speed limit reduction would have the least impact on noise reduction.
“The installation of absorptive noise barriers in proximity to existing properties with predicted noise levels in excess of the recommended levels is the most feasible option, but this will most definitely be a multi-million euro project for which we, as a local authority, will need numerous funding streams to advance.
“I will revisit the issue of enhancing the road surface along the Athlone bypass with TII, but I don’t believe it is scheduled to be upgraded soon. However, with no relevant ‘in house’ expertise, the onus is now on the council to commence a procurement process to enable the commencement of a feasibility study on this issue.
“We will consult with fellow local authorities who may have experienced a similar issue previously and may be of assistance in this regard. I cannot confirm when we may have costing proposals for this project but we will revisit the issue in early 2024,” Mr Kehoe commented.
Upon request of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District Mayor, Cllr Louise Heavin, the council unanimously agreed to write to the Government and enclose a summary of the detailed noise level report prepared by the consultants.
