It follows a protest from local traders yesterday.
An extra day of free parking will be provided in council car parks of a Westmeath town this Thursday.
It's also been agreed that an additional forty spaces will be available in Blackhall carpark in Mullingar during the Christmas period to increase off-street parking options.
The decisions were taken following a meeting between councillors, An Garda Siochana and local authority officials.
Mullingar's Fine Gael rep Andrew Duncan says the measures are the best option at the moment:
Westmeath County Council is postponing the testing of new smart traffic lights in Mullingar until January.
It follows a protest from local traders yesterday about the congestion issues the current system is causing.
At a meeting yesterday it was decided that flashing amber lights will remain in place during the Christmas period in the hope of improving the flow of cars through the town.
Fine Gael councillor Andrew Duncan says continued disruption during Christmas week would be unacceptable:
Statement from Westmeath County Council:
The Mullingar Street Enhancement project is now substantially complete to a very high quality and standard.
New Traffic lights (on preprogramed timing cycles) are installed at all the junctions from Dublin Bridge to Green Bridge. The installation of the smart technology system which is to be fitted to these lights was scheduled to be operational by now. However, due to technical and software issues, the contractor has fallen behind programme but is working to have these operational as soon as possible.
Due to this delay a decision following consultation with the elected members of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District and with An Garda Siochana and considering the important retail period immediately before Christmas it has been decided to put the traffic lights at the junction of Castle Street and Pearse Street on flashing amber from today.
The impact on traffic flow and pedestrian movement will be monitored over the coming days and the smart technology will not be implemented while the flashing amber lights are being used.
The remaining traffic lights are being monitored and adjusted regularly, to ensure pedestrian safety and traffic flow is maximised.
The elected Members of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District have decided that free parking in Council car parks will now also be provided on Thursday 19th December in addition to previously approved Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Tuesday 24th December.
An additional 40 car parking spaces will be opened at the rear of Blackhall carpark from Thursday 19th December to increase the current capacity of off-street parking.
Westmeath County Council wish to thank businesses and the wider community for their continued patience and support during this important development project.
Inquest Into Cloverhill Prison Death Hears Father’s Hopes For Son’s Mental Health Treatment In Custody
Westmeath Tidy Towns Chair Calls For Village Bypass
Community Collaboration Helping Westmeath Villages Thrive
Midlands Craft Shop Owner Thanks Community For 15 Years Of Support
Doctor Admits Careless Driving Causing Death Of Six Year Old Daughter In Midlands Crash.
Laois Festival Named One Of Ireland’s Most Photogenic Festival
Mark Glennon Appointed General Manager Of Westmeath Hotel
€100k Awarded To Youth Project In Laois
Catherine Fitzgerald Elected Cathaoirleach Of Laois County Council.
Bill Collentine Elected Cathaoirleach Of Westmeath County Council.
Man Pleads Guilty To Midlands Stag-Night Killing In 2022
Gardaí Searching For Missing Midlands Man
Cabinet To Sign Off On Overhaul For Rural And Gaeltacht Housing
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Expected To Reach 10,000
Three Laois Men Fined Thousands After Illegal Removal Of Native Hedgerow
All Aboard! Electric Picnic Reveals Salty Dog Lineup
Westmeath Council Introduces New Rent Rules For Carers
Fuel Excise Cuts Extended Until September
Man Arrested In Laois Pleads Guilty Of Terrorist Plot On Galway Mosque
Teenager Dies Following Carlow Crash Overnight