Elderly residents of Patrick Street in fear as drivers perform ‘wheelies’ in the evenings

A claim that motorists are carrying out “wheelies” on Patrick Street, Mullingar in the evenings has been made by Cllr Ken Glynn.

“That area has a lot of elderly residents, and they’re in fear in their homes,” the Fianna Fáil man told officials at the July meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

He was speaking on his request that the executive ramp the pedestrian crossing at Patrick Street in the interest of public safety, adding that the road there actually vibrates due to the speed of motorists passing that way.

The formal written response to Cllr Glynn’s request stated that the district intends upgrading the pedestrian crossing as part of future Active Travel funding.

Cllr Glynn was concerned that might mean too long a wait, and said a lot of older residents in the Hawthorn Crescent, Ennell Court and Patrick Street areas were “in fear”.

“Rather than waiting for Active Travel, we should be looking at ramping this particular junction sooner rather than later,” he said.

Responding, director of services Deirdre Reilly stated that the work had been earmarked as an Active Travel project last year, but the funding had not come through. “It’s still a priority under Active Travel funding,” she said, describing it as a “priority location”.

Cllr Glynn suggested that the district write to the gardaí and make them aware of the night time activity.

“No problem,” Ms Reilly responded.

Traffic calming

Cllr Ken Glynn requested the provision of an additional traffic calming measure in Willowbrook, Mullingar, to which the response as that the district will consider it as part of the 2026 works.

Cllr Mick Dollard queried whether traffic calming measures could be introduced along the Auburn Road, between Millmount Road and the entrance to Mullingar Town Park.

In response, officials confirmed that the road is included in an Active Travel infrastructure scheme.

A Part 8 planning application for the traffic calming proposals is expected later this year, following which an implementation programme could be considered if planning is approved.

Cllr Dollard also raised the issue of speeding in the new section of Gleann Petit estate and asked if more calming measures could be installed there.

The council noted that ramps have already been installed along the estate, and additional ones may be added in future works programmes, depending on assessments and available resources.

A request that ramps be installed at the Village Green, Killucan due to excessive speeds in that estate was made by Cllr Denis Leonard. The response was that the district would consider the provision of speed ramps there as part of the 2026 works estimates.

Cllr Alfie Devine asked when work is to start on traffic calming measures in Collinstown, and was told it is intended to be this month.

Cllr Devine also asked whether ramps were being considered for any other roads leading into Multyfarnham village, and was told that will be considered: “The district engineer recently met with residents in Multyfarnham and agreed possible locations for ramps,” the response stated.

The need for traffic calming measures on the Killucan Road, Raharney, on the approach to the village, was raised by Cllr Niall Gaffney, who was informed the district will consider the work as part of future estimates.

Cllr Aoife Davitt called for additional traffic calming measures in Taughmon; the council said vehicle-activated signs have already been installed and further measures may be considered.

She also requested traffic calming at Cullion Bridge and St Brigid’s Well, to which the council confirmed that additional road markings will be installed.

Yellow box

Cllr Bill Collentine requested that the district consider installing a yellow box at the junction of Millmount Road and Auburn Road to improve traffic flow. “The district has confirmed that the location has been examined and a yellow box will be installed across the town-bound lane,” the official response stated.