Council to develop a traffic plan for Ballymore

Westmeath County Council is set to develop a traffic management plan for High Street in Ballymore in a bid to deal with speed and safety issues.

The news was announced following a motion on the issue by Athlone Moate Municipal District Mayor Cllr Vinny McCormack at last Monday's monthly meeting.

The Ballymore-based public representative outlined the issues which are causing concern to pedestrians and parents of children in the local primary school.

“At present we have a situation where traffic is consistently speeding over the brow of the hill at Scoil Eoin Naofa, within 40 metres of the school we have seven different businesses which are open to the public and have patrons parking outside. As a result of the current layout we have a situation where pedestrians, and children leaving the national school have to walk on the edge of the road with speeding traffic approaching from behind. This is a very serious safety issue and unless we take substantial action I am afraid it is only a matter of time before we have a very serious issue to deal with,” said Cllr McCormack.

In response District Engineer Willie Ryan confirmed that the Director of Services Barry Kehoe, who could not attend the meeting, was in agreement with the sentiments of Cllr McCormack and has asked the engineering team to prepare a plan which would seek to deal with speed and parking issues for the entire area.

Mr Ryan said the speed issues on the approach to any school is a very serious matter and that any, and all measures must be considered by the district in providing an urgent solution.

Cllr McCormack was very welcoming of the positive feedback and urged the council to urgently prioritise the development of the plan.