Lakepoint residents seek speed ramps – urgently

Residents in Lakepoint want traffic calming ramps, which Westmeath County Council promised would be completed by the third quarter of 2022, installed as a matter of urgency.

That’s according to Darren Mills, chairperson of the Lakepoint Residents Association, who explains that residents have safety concerns over the newly opened Cedars development, which includes 31 news houses and whose access runs through The Park, which was originally a cul-de-sac.

“The main concern has always been safety,” said Mr Mills. “The council put in 31 houses in the back of Lakepoint, with road access through The Park, with no safety measures included. The Park is the longest street in Lakepoint, with the most houses, and is already heavily congested with cars. Now there is another 31 houses, The Cedars, with access through The Park. And with 31 houses, you could have up to 60 extra cars driving through a densely populated area.

“Originally a cul-de-sac, The Park always had children out playing, now it’s no longer a cul-de-sac.

“A lot of our concerns have been addressed but not executed,” added Mr Mills. “We met council officials on several occasions, and they agreed to install ramps in The Park, as well as on the main thoroughfare in Lakepoint, as a safety measure. They have also agreed to address the roundabout at The Park, where accidents occur regularly throughout the year.

“That was all due to happen in the third quarter of 2022. We’ve met the council again since, maybe about two months ago, and again the council promised that the ramps would be done in two weeks time, but here we are in January and still no ramps.

“There are residents annoyed that it hasn’t happened. Another concern is that the council put in new walkways and lighting in the main green area, it was what the council called a ‘permeability loop’, to allow for easier access throughout the estate. And while we’re all happy about that, the work was done about five months ago and the street lights are still not connected – it’s pitch dark there when you’re walking at night.”

Mr Mills also felt disappointed that no member of the residents group was invited to the opening of the new houses.

“The residents association were disappointed that they weren’t invited to the opening of the new houses – they were opened just before Christmas by Minister Peter Burke. It was a shame that a minister was down in Lakepoint and the council didn’t invite us along to the opening, we would have appreciated an invite.

“That said, the residents association would like to welcome all the new residents in The Cedars, and we look forward to getting to know them.”