Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Aengus O’Rourke, has this week welcomed the imminent installation of eight bus shelters at numerous locations in Athlone.
“Until now there has been no funding stream in place to install bus shelters around Athlone. While some might assume its a low-cost exercise to install a bus shelter, it certainly is not.
“Currently, with the help of the National Transport Authority, Westmeath County Council are installing eight new bus shelters in Athlone, many of which are well underway, a project which will cost in the region of €500,000.
“At council level I have been for numerous years calling for the installation of shelters for people using our bus services in and around the town. I have always felt that if we are serious about encouraging people to use public transport, then we need to provide the infrastructure to enable them to use public transport.
“Given our climate, waiting for a bus outdoors any time of the year can be difficult. In my view, bus stops should always have a shelter, provided the space is there to install such a facility. These eight new bus shelters are a great step forward this year and I plan to build on these next year with a similar number in 2024,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
The eight new bus shelters will be installed at the following locations - Athlone Regional Sports Centre at existing bus stop; MacDonagh Road, adjacent to Temple Printing at existing bus stop; Plunkett Road, beside the new HSE CNU at existing bus stop which was in grass verge; Plunkett Road, beside Applegreen at existing bus stop which wasn’t posted; Dr Jim Keane Road, at The Glen at existing bus stop; Dr Jim Keane Road, at the new housing development, Dún na Rí at existing bus stop; MacDiarmada Road, upgrade existing shelter at Golden Island and MacDiarmada Road, at the existing bus stop beside Moldova.
Sarsfield Square enhancement works
Meanwhile, Cllr O’Rourke has expressed his immense satisfaction that the walkways leading from Sarsfield Square to the greenway have been improved upon with LED lighting installed.
“As part of the works the car park at St Brendan’s community centre is also properly surfaced for the first time ever and also fitted with new LED lights. The entire area has been transformed and looks great.
“They say that persistence pays off; in the case of Sarsfield Square it certainly has. While the entire project was not possible through one section of the council, I was delighted to secure funding through the Active Travel budget and the Municipal District budget to ensure complete project delivery.
“I couldn’t be happier for the residents of Sarsfield Square and of course all those who will now use the new walkways on a daily basis,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
