Work has started on traffic-calming measures, including speed humps and pedestrian crossings, in three roads across greater Athlone: Brushwood Road in Bridgetown, Second Street in Welcome Estate and Downberg Road in Hanover Park.
Ward 47 councillor Antonio van der Rheede said he had received many complaints from the community about traffic congestion in and around Belmore Primary School.
The traffic department had found merit in a request for traffic-calming measures around the school and the Lansdowne Corner Shopping Centre, he said.
There had been an increase in peak-hour traffic in the area since the shopping centre had been built, he said.
“The traffic-calming measures will look to ease the congestion experienced by motorists in the morning, reduce speeding, as well as look to safeguard the children that commute in the area,” he said.
Mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas said: “We will continue to identify areas with our various communities where urgent traffic calming interventions are required… Our focus is to protect the most vulnerable road users, typically in close proximity to schools and public facilities.”
The roadworks would take place on weekdays from 7am to 5pm until Friday May 20 if all went to plan, said Mr Quintas.
The work would affect traffic in both directions and flagmen would regulate traffic in one direction at a time, he said.
Residents could park in the demarcated area from 6pm to 6.30am. Parked vehicles obstructing the construction work would be towed.