Cathaoirleach of Athlone Moate Municipal District and Green Party Cllr, Louise Heavin

Heavin calls for speed limit to be "painted on road"

During a discussion on safety for cyclists emerging off the Greenway onto the Magheramore road in Moate at the July meeting of the local municipal district, Cllr Louise Heavin suggested that speed limit signs should be painted on the road.

The safety issue was raised by Fine Gael Cllr, John Dolan, who sought the provision of safety measures at the junction between the Greenway and the Magheramore road “to slow cyclists coming out onto the public road.”

“There should be signage on the Greenway and a ramp to slow down cyclists because this is a very dangerous junction” said Cllr Dolan, while municipal district Cathaoirleach, Cllr Louise Heavin said she was very familiar with the junction and suggested that the speed limit for the area – which is 50km per hour – “should be painted on the road.”

District Engineer, Willie Ryan, said the council takes safety "very seriously” and added that perhaps low cost safety measures could be put in place over the coming months.

“I would like to see some action, and quickly” said Cllr Dolan.

In their written response to Cllr Dolan’s motion, the Executive of the local authority said they were aware of “emerging concerns since the widening of the greenway entry gates at this junction to meet the present standards.”

The District Engineer pledged to investigate the junction to ascertain the need for additional safety measures and to provide “additional measures as necessary.”