Rochfortbridge East has been denied new bus stops it was revealed this week.
At a special sitting of the Kilbeggan Area Committee chairman Ger Corcoran decided to vote against the project after numerous petitions from residents in the town.
“A lot of people didn’t know the design and placement of the new bus pull ins. I’ve had numerous meetings with residents’ associations and taken on their feelings. There is also concern over traffic management in the village from the roundabout to Centra. I don’t feel these pull-ins are the best way to go, so I’m voting against them,” said Cllr Corcoran.
The introduction of new bus bays in the east part of Rochfortbridge had been initially proposed by Cllr Colm Arthur, and at this week’s area meeting he urged his fellow councillors to accept the plans.
Cllr Paul Daly backed Cllr Corcoran’s views on the project. “I’ve also had a lot of representation from locals, more than 75 per cent of them seem to be against the CIE bus stop leaving the village at all, and people fear that in time it will move to the new lay-bys outside the town,” he said.
Cllr Arthur retaliated saying that the transport department of Westmeath County Council had worked hard to produce the plans, which, he said, were of the highest order. “I am shocked and dismayed for the residents of Rochfortbridge,” said Cllr Arthur, “they have been waiting for this.”
“This is also an issue of inclusion...These are my friends and neighbours, this is my village. I thought the local person got support,” he added.
Cllr Joe Flanagan abstained from voting on the plans. It was decided to go ahead with plans for a new footpath in the east Rochfortbridge area; however, residents in that area will have to use the bus stop in the centre of the village.
