Petition calls for "professional evaluation" of Moate road plan

A petition which has called for a “professional evaluation” of a road scheme currently underway in Moate has attracted over 575 electronic signatures in just eight days.

The roadworks, which have been ongoing since August 26 last at an area known as The Turnpike at the Clara Road junction in Moate, include the installation of pedestrian crossing and ramps and the lowering of kerbs as part of a Low Cost Safety Scheme for the area.

However, the works, being carried out on behalf of Westmeath County Council, have been the subject of much criticism from local residents in the town which has now culminated with the setting up of an online petition by local resident, Fintan O'Halloran.

The petition, which is seeking 1,000 electronic signatures through the Care2Petitions online platform in order to bring the concerns of signatories to Westmeath County Council, had attracted 529 supporters by Monday of this week having been established five days previously.

The concerns of local residents about the roadworks currently taking place outside Bart's newsagents in Moate – as outlined in the petition - centre on the width of the road, which they claim has been reduced to such an extent that it is impossible for two large vehicles to pass in opposite directions safely. The petition also claims that it is impossible to join the main road from the Clara direction without having to cross over into oncoming traffic.

In a lengthy Facebook post at the weekend, Mr. O'Halloran described the Moate road changes as “an accident waiting to happen” and said the online petition arose as a result of an initial Facebook post last week where he questioned the roadworks.

“What initially started as a Facebook post questioning the safety of these works has spiralled into a petition as road users vent their frustration at the bottleneck being caused and also the danger it is causing to vehicles and passengers “ the post read.

The Facebook post attracted 135 comments from local people, the vast majority of which were in agreement with the views expressed by Fintan O'Halloran.

As well as requesting a professional evaluation of the ongoing works, the online petition calls for remedial works to “begin immediately” to resolve the issues highlighted.

However, local Fine Gael councillor Tom Farrell, has said the purpose of the roadworks at the Clara Road junction outside Bart's newsagents is “to slow down traffic” and make the area safer for all roads users, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Pointing out that the works are due to be completed “over the next two to three weeks”, Cllr Farrell said the new traffic system should be “given a chance to bed in” to see how it works.

“Speeding is an issue in every town and village in the country, and we have to slow down traffic” said Cllr Farrell, who added that the purpose of the roadworks outside Bart's is to slow down traffic in that area of Moate.

“There is going to be a Zebra crossing and a number of other measures to make that junction safer for all road users, and I think people should let the new system become fully operational and then bring their concerns to the council if they think it needs some changes,” he said.

Cllr Farrell said Westmeath County Council is always “more than willing to engage with local residents” over their concerns in relation to any issue, but particularly on issues relating to road safety, and he urged them to wait until the roadworks are fully finished before voicing their concerns.

Westmeath County Council received funding of €128,000 towards the cost of the Low Cost Safety Scheme works.

Meanwhile, Cllr Vinny McCormack has received assurances from District Engineer Denis Sloyan, that the damage caused to the nearby Private Kelly Memorial Park in Moate will be rectified.

Cllr McCormack raised the issue at the January meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District and produced photographs to the meeting showing the extent of the damage caused to the green area in the local park, which he described as having “basically destroyed” the grassy area of the park.

Since then, Cllr McCormack has confirmed to the Westmeath Independent that he has received assurances that all damage caused to the park will be “fully rectified” by the contractors when the works to the Clara Road junction are completed.

Moate resident Private Patrick Kelly was shot dead by the IRA during the rescue of kidnapped businessman Don Tidey in woodland outside the village of Ballinamore, Leitrim, in December 1983.

The park next to the Clara Road junction was named in honour of the married father of four at a ceremony coinciding with the 25th anniversary of his killing in 2008. It is maintained by local volunteers.