The controversial one-way traffic management system looks like it’s back on the agenda after it was revealed at this week’s town council meeting (November 2 ) that an agreement had been reached “in principle” with Bus Eireann over the sticking point of the station field.
In answer to a query from Cllr Alan Shaw (FG ) as to where the executive now stood in relation to the 2003 Athlone traffic management plan, Mr Barry Kehoe, Director of Services for Athlone, explained that the council would build a temporary bus park to compensate Bus Eireann for the loss of its present bus park opposite the railway station.
Speaking to The Advertiser after the meeting, Mr Kehoe said the council needed fewer than two acres of Bus Eireann’s land to finalise its traffic management plan for the town.
“The deals are to be thrashed out by Christmas and work is to begin for the spring,” he said.
The one-way system, in operation for only 10 weeks, was controversially overturned exactly a year ago after a vocal protest from a number of town centre traders at a cost of €600,000 and has remained two-way since.
Cllr Shaw’s query drew a response from his party colleague and businesswoman, Cllr Gabrielle McFadden, who was one of the most vocal opponents of the one-way system.
“There were 4,500 signatures on a petition against the system. I hope their views will be taken into consideration,” she said.
Athlone Town Council has €6m earmarked for streetscape improvements if and when the one-way system is returned.
