The steep footpath at the traffic lights on College Street proved a challenge too far for the wheelchairs users during the Co. Cavan Access Assocation Disability walk. Photos: Adrian Donohoe.

Dog poo and uneven paths hindering wheelchair users and visually impaired

Sean McMahon

Uneven surfaces on footpaths and dog poo were among the problems encountered by a group of able-bodied people who took up the challenge of getting from the gates of Cavan General Hospital to the town centre using wheelchairs.

The event last Saturday, arranged by the County Cavan Access Association, was designed to highlight the accessibility (or inaccessibility) for wheelchair users and visually impaired people on parts of the stretch of footpath along Farnham/Railway Road into Cavan Town.

Several councillors including the chairman of Cavan County Council, Paddy O’Reilly and the chairman of Cavan Town Council, Des Cullen sat in the wheelchairs for a duration to experience the difficulties.

The town engineer, Alan Lyons and the access officer with the local authority, Emma Breiden also took to the wheelchairs to get an insight into the problems enroute.

Other councillors who participated were Elizabeth McDermott, Damien Brady and Madeleine Argue. Senior planner with the council, Marice Galligan and the building control officer, Ciaran Fitzpatrick, also attended.

The chairman of the County Cavan Access Association, Jonathan Binchy, heralded the event as a great success. He said that dog owners need to be aware when walking their dogs of the importance of cleaning up after their pets.

The dog poo on the footpath was coming in contact with the wheels of the wheelchairs and then getting on people’s hands.

Mr Binchy thanked the councillors and officials for attending. 'It does show their pro-active approach and we are delighted to be living in an area where the Council does take such an interest.'

A greater appreciation

'It gives you a different perspective and it gives you a greater appreciation for the people who have to negotiate the built up environment on a daily basis,' said Town Engineer Alan Lyons of the experience. He said that the council had a good relationship with the Cavan Access Group and endeavoured to address such issues as they were raised.

'Our big problem is funding – walking along here it is very easy to pick out all the faults. It is a good exercise to prioritise what are the main issues. We will try and tackle the issues as they crop up,' said Mr Lyons.

He and the other council officials agreed that the exercise was useful in highlighting potential issues and design problems from the point of view of those with mobility problems.

The Access Officer with Cavan County Council, Emma Breiden, is also a member of the Cavan Access Association.

'We have carried out access audits in all our town centres in 2008 and we have a list of what needs to be done and we have addressed a lot of the issues around the county. But obviously there is lots more to do and we do as much as we can, when we get funding.'

Cavan local authorities ensure that all new works and services funded under local authority programmes, from planning to design to construction, have access for people with disabilities.

Ms Breiden pointed out that back in 2011, Cavan Access did a similar access around the Cathedral and up the Main Street. 'Following that we had a list of issues that were highlighted and in 2012, we got those addressed. It just proves that these access exercises are worthwhile, because we get a list of actions we need to work on.'

Wheelchair user, John Hancox said that Cavan County Council does try to sort out problems as they are highlighted, subject to funding. He said that the footpath on this particular stretch of road needs to be maintained to a high standard because there is no footpath on the opposite side of the road and there should also be safe places to cross.

The Chairman of Cavan Town Council Des Cullen said that Cavan Town had come a long way in the last 10 or 15 years in endeavouring to improve areas of accessibility.

'So, hopefully today we can learn a few things and see how it can be incorporated into the council’s plans for the next year or two,' said Cllr Cullen.