Council asked to remove obstacles posing problems to wheelchair users

CALL Cllr seeks bye-laws to improve accessibility

The Council is being asked to take action in public areas where seating, signage and other items are impacting the ability of wheelchair users to access outlets and facilities across the county.

The subject, tabled for debate at the recent monthly meeting of elected members, was raised by Sinn Féin’s Paddy McDonald who cited 2016 census figures that showed 643,131 people nationwide identified as having a disability, or 13.5% of the population.

Cllr McDonald said that people with disabilities face “many challenges not least the lack of accessibility”, which he claimed can threaten their independence when using public footpaths and thoroughfares.

In many cases paths can be blocked by “obstacles and poorly parked vehicles”.

Cllr McDonald is seeking to introduce a bye-law to control the placement of so-called “street furniture”.

He asked the local authority to “commit” to more rigorously enforcing existing legislation preventing obstructions such as sandwich boards, as well as bins and shrubbery.

Lastly, Cllr McDonald has requested that the Council engaged in creating “greater public awareness” around the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities so that the challenges they face are “better understood”.

“This is not to get at traders,” prefaced Cllr McDonald. “If we work together, we can accommodate everybody.”

Independent Cllr Brendan Fay agreed with the sentiment of the motion, but stated that a lot of businesses rely on the use of additional outdoor advertising.

He said if the council was to go down the route of banning all such signage, he’d be “against” such a proposal. “Let’s proceed with caution,” he ushered.

Fellow Independent Cllr Shane P O’Reilly agreed, saying a more continental approach will be adopted to eating and socialising, post Covid, with more places offering outdoor seating in future.

“That will create new street furniture,” said Cllr O’Reilly, who said, while it was “certainly a valid motion”, councillors had to be aware of the impact on all sections of the community.

He suggested the matter be discussed at the Council’s own Strategic Policy Committee.

Cootehill plan

Fine Gael’s Carmel Brady meanwhile informed the meeting of Cootehill’s ambitious plan to become the “most accessible” town in Cavan.

The initiative is being driven by the Cootehill Town Team’s Social and Community Subgroup, and follows the completion of a ‘Walkability Audit’ back in 2018.

Some works have already taken place; while Cathaoirleach, Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly praised the ‘Make Way Day’, which highlighted disability access in the town of Bailieborough last year.

Responding to the councillors’ concerns, Director of Services Brendan Jennings admitted there “possibly” is a need for greater enforcement of existing rules.

He drew the line however at a “blanket” enforcement.

He said it was something the Council would discuss further, with all options explored.

“It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t disappear overnight,” said Mr Jennings.