Athlone thread

L.Jenkins

roosterman71 wrote: »

I strolled up through town from Eddies last week at 9am. Couldn't believe how quiet the street was, even with cars going westbound. Then, swung around the corner for the Radisson and it was carnage for eastbound traffic. Backed up to the bridge from the traffic lights at the hospital. I've said it before, but Athlone is not laid out right for a one way. The westbound part is fine, but eastbound is far from it.

There's a lot that can be done to improve the traffic flow situation. Traffic traveling east, as a pain in the hole as it might be, instead of being able to turn down right at the Genoa, should continue straight on to the roundabout. That would reduce the need for traffic to stop at the AIB bank.

The lights at the old hospital is also slowing things down. Another arrangement should be made to keep traffic moving. The junction at the Cresant and Dunnes is another issue slowing down traffic flow.

As for the traffic at Dunnes, coming from the Cresant, maybe it should only be allow to turn left and traffic coming from Golden Island towards Dunnes should be allowed to turn left, thus expanding on the loop to keep traffic moving.

If I could easily create a traffic flow map to show what I'm thinking, that would be great.

roosterman71

L.Jenkins wrote: »

There's a lot that can be done to improve the traffic flow situation. Traffic traveling east, as a pain in the hole as it might be, instead of being able to turn down right at the Genoa, should continue straight on to the roundabout. That would reduce the need for traffic to stop at the AIB bank.

Good point. Would HGVs have trouble swinging around that roundabout?

L.Jenkins wrote: »

As for the traffic at Dunnes, coming from the Cresant, maybe it should only be allow to turn left and traffic coming from Golden Island towards Dunnes should be allowed to turn left, thus expanding on the loop to keep traffic moving.

Are you not allowed turn left coming from GI to the lights at Dunnes?
Again I'll point to HGVs here at that junction. Coming from the crescent to those lights would mean a nightmare of a turn left there. So going down to GI may be their only option.

If money was there, the O'Neills site should be bought and that junction widened to allow and easy turn back left there.

holyhead

Curious they are trying the one way again. A disaster from what I remember the last time. The circuit is too long and cumbersome. If Mardyke House was knocked that would have solved a lot of the traffic issue as far as I can see. It would also have the effect of opening up a proper entrance onto Church St. Can't see it working. Time will tell

flazio

I think the long term plan is to have no way traffic down there and to turn Church street into a pedestrian zone shopping street akin to Grafton in Dublin and Shop Street in Galway (minus the wobbly cobbles hopefully.).

Zubeneschamali

holyhead wrote: »

Curious they are trying the one way again. A disaster from what I remember the last time.

Last time there was an orchestrated campaign against it by the old Athlone traders, the real dinosaurs. These are the people who think trade means someone parking their Corolla on a double yellow line after Mass to drop in, have a chat and buy a Pringle jumper.

There are very few of them left.

Sunny Dayz

Yesterday was the first time I'd to drive across the centre of town since the new one way system was put in. It was fine but when we were at the lights at the top of church street, some guy came out of Northgate street and wanted to go left down Church street. He couldn't understand why it was barricaded off, myself and the car beside me were pointing to go across the bridge and he didn't see the "no left turn" sign in front of him. He eventually got the message. And then when I was leaving town, I went to travel back across the bridge but then realised that I wouldn't get back down Church st so went out by Ganlys to join the bypass.


People are just going to have to get used to it. They are going to have to give a little more thought to their journeys and what's the best route to take and place to park. Many large towns have one way systems or pedestrian streets in the town centre. If Athlone wants to grow as a town and into a city we need to accept things like this. People also need to stop whinging about traffic, actually scrap that people complain about traffic when they are finished complaining about the weather, it's an Irish thing. But again it's part and parcel of a big town.


Lastly, out of curiosity, when did the one way system come into effect on the Connaught side of town?

veryangryman

flazio wrote: »

I think the long term plan is to have no way traffic down there and to turn Church street into a pedestrian zone shopping street akin to Grafton in Dublin and Shop Street in Galway (minus the wobbly cobbles hopefully.).

Access to the Strand Area needs to be kept. Lloyds Lane, Friary Lane and Griffith St would need to close to allow Church St remain car-free. 
I dont think there's a way to completely take cars out of town centre unless town is wildly reconfigured.

demanufactured

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Last time there was an orchestrated campaign against it by the old Athlone traders, the real dinosaurs. These are the people who think trade means someone parking their Corolla on a double yellow line after Mass to drop in, have a chat and buy a Pringle jumper.

There are very few of them left.

Spot on, I thought last time was a better way of doing it too.

Anesthetize

flazio wrote: »

I think the long term plan is to have no way traffic down there and to turn Church street into a pedestrian zone shopping street akin to Grafton in Dublin and Shop Street in Galway (minus the wobbly cobbles hopefully.).

veryangryman wrote: »

Access to the Strand Area needs to be kept. Lloyds Lane, Friary Lane and Griffith St would need to close to allow Church St remain car-free. 
I dont think there's a way to completely take cars out of town centre unless town is wildly reconfigured.

In an ideal world I'd like to see Church Street pedestrianised. Something that is lacking in the centre of Athlone is pedestrianised streets. All cities in Ireland have them, and some bigger towns such as Wexford, Ennis, Killkenny, and Tralee.

This will probably never happen in our lifetime, as the way the town has developed over the centuries has made this almost impossible. It would take something drastic like knocking down buildings around Custom Place, widening The Strand for two-way traffic, and then linking up with Golden Island through Burgess Park.

On the other hand, I've always wondered why Lloyd's Lane has never been pedestrianised. It could develop into a nice little street if they did. There's no real reason to send traffic down it either as there's already enough access to The Strand.

endabob1

Anesthetize wrote: »

In an ideal world I'd like to see Church Street pedestrianised. Something that is lacking in the centre of Athlone is pedestrianised streets. All cities in Ireland have them, and some bigger towns such as Wexford, Ennis, Killkenny, and Tralee.

This will probably never happen in our lifetime, as the way the town has developed over the centuries has made this almost impossible. It would take something drastic like knocking down buildings around Custom Place, widening The Strand for two-way traffic, and then linking up with Golden Island through Burgess Park.

On the other hand, I've always wondered why Lloyd's Lane has never been pedestrianised. It could develop into a nice little street if they did. There's no real reason to send traffic down it either as there's already enough access to The Strand.

I also love the idea of little pedestrianised streets like you have in Galway, but in reality while there is only the one bridge in the centre of the town, that will be where traffic goes...
If you are looking to pedestrianise somewhere , why not the strand? I have always thought that not enough is made of the river frontage in Athlone.

White lighting

endabob1 wrote: »

Anesthetize wrote: »

In an ideal world I'd like to see Church Street pedestrianised. Something that is lacking in the centre of Athlone is pedestrianised streets. All cities in Ireland have them, and some bigger towns such as Wexford, Ennis, Killkenny, and Tralee.

This will probably never happen in our lifetime, as the way the town has developed over the centuries has made this almost impossible. It would take something drastic like knocking down buildings around Custom Place, widening The Strand for two-way traffic, and then linking up with Golden Island through Burgess Park.

On the other hand, I've always wondered why Lloyd's Lane has never been pedestrianised. It could develop into a nice little street if they did. There's no real reason to send traffic down it either as there's already enough access to The Strand.

I also love the idea of little pedestrianised streets like you have in Galway, but in reality while there is only the one bridge in the centre of the town, that will be where traffic goes...
If you are looking to pedestrianise somewhere , why not the strand? I have always thought that not enough is made of the river frontage in Athlone.

Flooding could become an issue

endabob1

White lighting wrote: »

Flooding could become an issue

True.... adequate flood defences seem to be a mystery in Ireland

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

The Strand is also very open to the elements, there's usually at the very least a good breeze blowing up the Shannon from the South and on a day where Church Street might seem breezy, there's a gale blowing down there.

Anesthetize

White lighting wrote: »

Flooding could become an issue

Boxer will fix that

endabob1

endabob1 wrote: »

True.... adequate flood defences seem to be a mystery in Ireland

Same as the mystery of flooding on flood plains that are "developed", or flooding in adjacent areas when the flow of water is blocked from the most direct & natural route.

pawrick

Deleted User wrote: »

Same as the mystery of flooding on flood plains that are "developed", or flooding in adjacent areas when the flow of water is blocked from the most direct & natural route.

Sure wasnt there planning permission for 96 apartments on the callows near Deerpark for a field which floods every year. Sign is now gone but was there around the time Enda Kenny was visiting the flooded areas.

Owryan

Hi folks, would appreciate some local knowledge.

I'm due to attend a conference in the Radisson this week and just wondering what parking is like?

In the event their carpark is full is there parking nearby suitable for all day parking? or are there areas to avoid?

MadYaker

Theres loads of parking around there. Theres another carpark just down the road from the radisson

Owryan

MadYaker wrote: »

Theres loads of parking around there. Theres another carpark just down the road from the radisson

Thanks a million

4ensic15

Owryan wrote: »

In the event their carpark is full is there parking nearby suitable for all day parking? or are there areas to avoid?

In Athlone, once you don't park on the Far Side, you will have no problem.

pawrick

4ensic15 wrote: »

In Athlone, once you don't park on the Far Side, you will have no problem.

And if you aren't sure which is the far side just remember the left bank is on the right bank of the river and the far side is subjective to who you ask.

Plenty of parking around the Radisson, just remember to get a parking ticket if parking outside the hotel park as the traffic warden likes to walk around that area.

Owryan

thanks for the advice folks

flazio

Corrib Oil are recruiting for a Store manager for their newly acquired service station in Athlone.
https://www.corriboil.com/job/store-manager-athlone-co-westmeath/

Anyone know which station? I suspect it's Ballymahon Road.

holyhead

Did the orange loop today. Traffic badly backed up on Northgate St. Confusion as to right of way as one turns right from Church St. Another idiot thought Mardyke St was two lane oneway and proceeded to pass me out before pulling into the taxi rank on Church St. The left hand continuation of the loop from the Train Station is very cumbersome unless your pulling onto the Ballymahon Road. Maybe it'll all work out but christ it's a long loop.

MadYaker

The whole this is a disaster really. There’s big tailbacks at the old hospital now and there never was before. Also the quality of the work the council do on the roads is a disgrace

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

It's after taking me 15 minutes to get from the roundabout at Dunnes Stores Irishtown to the front of the Sheraton. You can't turn left at the top of Broderick Street.

the town planners really wanted a oneway system, but it's clear that they didn't think it through and made it worse by adding in additional bottlebecks!
I really have no confidence in them sorting it out, their only solution seems to be more traffic lights. :mad:

pawrick

Deleted User wrote: »

the town planners really wanted a oneway system, but it's clear that they didn't think it through and made it worse by adding in additional bottlebecks!
I really have no confidence in them sorting it out, their only solution seems to be more traffic lights. :mad:

I still think we missed a trick in not having a 2nd town bridge linking near the back of golden island and knocking mardyke house. we're trying to work with a street plan which doesn't lend itself to a one way system esp when most of the traffic is trying to get in to the town centre/golden island.

A second way into golden island really is a must.

nice_guy80

Deleted User wrote: »

A second way into golden island really is a must.

there are two ways

one, down the town from the bus station
two, from Athlone IT direction

a more sustainable way would be to develop the Roscommon side more and bring more traffic and footfall over that side

4ensic15

Deleted User wrote: »

A second way into golden island really is a must.

The problem is getting out of it.

Zubeneschamali

Deleted User wrote: »

A second way into golden island really is a must.

There was a proposal to build a new road from the Kilmartins roundabout around to the South and direct to Golden Island, opening up land for development.

I didn't here more about that following the flooding in 2009 when all that land was well underwater.

Sunny Dayz

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There was a proposal to build a new road from the Kilmartins roundabout around to the South and direct to Golden Island, opening up land for development.

I didn't here more about that following the flooding in 2009 when all that land was well underwater.

There is a back road into Golden Island from near Kilmartins roundabout, if you go down the road behind Michel Moores garage it will eventually bring you out beside Aldi. But it's only room enough for one car and it's at risk of flooding over in the winter.

L.Jenkins

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There was a proposal to build a new road from the Kilmartins roundabout around to the South and direct to Golden Island, opening up land for development.

I didn't here more about that following the flooding in 2009 when all that land was well underwater.

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

There is a back road into Golden Island from near Kilmartins roundabout, if you go down the road behind Michel Moores garage it will eventually bring you out beside Aldi. But it's only room enough for one car and it's at risk of flooding over in the winter.

I've heard that numerous times in the last several years. I'm sure it would help relieve traffic to an extent.

MadYaker

Church street closed completely now? What the fcuk are they doing?

flazio

MadYaker wrote: »

Church street closed completely now? What the fcuk are they doing?

It's Sunday so there might be an event on. Events tend to happen on the weekend.

Hitman3000

flazio wrote:

It's Sunday so there might be an event on. Events tend to happen on the weekend.

No event, the street near nuts corner is being torn up.

veryangryman

I think there's 6 more weeks of this unfortunately.

Glass half full, its a good way to get more people walking and cycling. Those who need to shop etc also learn through necessity the best ways to approach town.

On a lighter note, i'm sure they called it the Orange Loop because it's a coconut.

veryangryman

I think there's 6 more weeks of this unfortunately.

Glass half full, its a good way to get more people walking and cycling. Those who need to shop etc also learn through necessity the best ways to approach town.

On a lighter note, i'm sure they called it the Orange Loop because it's a coconut.

Hitman3000

veryangryman wrote:

Glass half full, its a good way to get more people walking and cycling. Those who need to shop etc also learn through necessity the best ways to approach town.

Or they go shop in a different town. My parents live in Monksland. Quicker for them to drive to Ballinasloe than try to get to Golden Island.

veryangryman

Hitman3000 wrote: »

veryangryman wrote:

Glass half full, its a good way to get more people walking and cycling. Those who need to shop etc also learn through necessity the best ways to approach town.

Or they go shop in a different town. My parents live in Monksland. Quicker for them to drive to Ballinasloe than try to get to Golden Island.

What part of exxageration-traz, sorry Monksland are they from? I also am from Monksland and can still get into GI via bypass and Ballymahon Road in 10 minutes or less.
Even if one can get to Ballinasloe any quicker, its Ballinasloe. I say the same to anyone going to Roscommon (albeit they do have some choice of shops). Athlone is the only game in town in the midlands for shopping and that is why they are making it more pedestrian friendly. 
People will get used to the new design. The older people will take longer to adjust as with any major changes. Across the country (College Green in Dublin the best example), pedestrianisation, one-way systems and cyclist/public transport encouragement is being pushed forward. Teething problems due to people's natural resistance to change. If you want to say "it'll never work", check out Shop Street, Grafton Street, Henry Street, Cruises Street. They also had naysayers with their "It'll be quicker to drive to Nenagh" or the likes. :angel:
I think this is the best things to happen Athlone in ages.If it can be combined with more residential zoning in town, the place will thrive.

Hitman3000

veryangryman wrote:

What part of exxageration-traz, sorry Monksland are they from?

What kind of a smart ass response is this?

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

What part of exxageration-traz, sorry Monksland are they from? I also am from Monksland and can still get into GI via bypass and Ballymahon Road in 10 minutes or less.
Even if one can get to Ballinasloe any quicker, its Ballinasloe. I say the same to anyone going to Roscommon (albeit they do have some choice of shops). Athlone is the only game in town in the midlands for shopping and that is why they are making it more pedestrian friendly.
People will get used to the new design. The older people will take longer to adjust as with any major changes. Across the country (College Green in Dublin the best example), pedestrianisation, one-way systems and cyclist/public transport encouragement is being pushed forward. Teething problems due to people's natural resistance to change. If you want to say "it'll never work", check out Shop Street, Grafton Street, Henry Street, Cruises Street. They also had naysayers with their "It'll be quicker to drive to Nenagh" or the likes. :angel:
I think this is the best things to happen Athlone in ages.If it can be combined with more residential zoning in town, the place will thrive.

My missus prefers to go to the Aldi in Ballinasloe that to fight the traffic in town, even though it can be 5 minutes longer.
We live just outside town on the south western side ( old N6)

Hitman3000

Deleted User wrote:

My missus prefers to go to the Aldi in Ballinasloe that to fight the traffic in town, even though it can be 5 minutes longer. We live just outside town on the south western side ( old N6)

Took me 20 minutes yesterday to get from GI to the roundabout near the Springs.

Clueless in Athlone, it gets worse, one car stops in the wrong place and another just jumps the red light after going the wrong way down Sean Costello Rd (or is that two way again )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxqOkYSvZEs

veryangryman

Hitman3000 wrote: »

What kind of a smart ass response is this?

Your half right (the smart bit in that i deal in facts). I did Monksland to parked at Golden Island (5.50 this evening) in 8 minutes, thus making boots before closing. Even flat out i could not make Ballinasloe's fine range of stores(Tesco/Aldi?) in that amount of time.

People make these silly claims about time spent to get places when clearly it's not physically possible. Neither time, fuel or choice is improved upon by going to Roscommon/Ballinasloe. If it makes them feel better or to make a ridiculous point in the pubs/boards, then best of luck to them.

How i wish this guy existed...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lRIQGU2RRk

holyhead

Did you come along the bypass and down the Ballymahon Road? I had to do a u turn on Sean Costelloe St as traffic was backed up from the lights to near Supermacs around 5:45 this evening.

MadYaker

The entire Centre of town was totally clogged at 2pm on a Sunday

veryangryman

holyhead wrote: »

Did you come along the bypass and down the Ballymahon Road?.

Yes.

The Orange Loop is like scratchcards. You make more profit by avoiding it than engaging in it.

demanufactured

veryangryman wrote: »

I think there's 6 more weeks of this unfortunately.

Glass half full, its a good way to get more people walking and cycling. Those who need to shop etc also learn through necessity the best ways to approach town.

On a lighter note, i'm sure they called it the Orange Loop because it's a coconut.

Great parking on church street at the minute.. I left my car right in the middle of the road outside nuts on Saturday night....mighty.