Safety realignment works progressing well on Loreto Road

The new footpath at Drumlark Bridge is also progressing on the Loreto Road and it is already allowing safe access to the Cavan Greenway.

By Sean McMahon

Work is progressing well on the realignment work at Loreto/Gold Links road according to the Senior Executive Engineer, Paul Mulligan in his report to the recent Cavan Belturbet Municipal District meeting which took place virtually.

The new wall on the right hand side on Loreto Road as one exists from Golf Links road coming from Cavan Town have been faced with stone and the kerb line is now in place for the new footpath. "We are well advanced in proceeding with the laying of the footpath around that corner. It is a hugely positive job for the area", said Paul Mulligan.

The new footpath at Drumlark Bridge is also progressing on the Loreto Road and it is already allowing safe access to the Cavan Greenway.

Madeline Argue said it was a great facility and a lot of people are using it, particularly in these Covid times and Paul Mulligan said that the lighting is in place and yet to be connected and commisioned.

Paul Mulligan told Patricia Walsh that he is looking at extending the footpath around towards the Greenway and "we are applying for more funding for that".

Work on the new wider footpath along Con Smith Park at Cathedral Road has been completed. All potential trip hazards have now been eliminated.

The Senior Executive Engineer, Paul Mulligan said all obstacles have been removed and it now affords families plenty of space to walk. "It is now proving a major asset during the Covid restriction to people walking".

Paul Mulligan said the upgrade works on the road at Killymooney drive have also been completed.

This was welcomed by Cllr Patricia Walsh and she revealed that the residents are very happy with it.

She went on to highlight residents concerns of the Residents at St Felims Place about the dangers there, with particular reference to the speed of the traffic coming down from Kilnavara lane.

A new pedestrian crossing has been put in place on the Dublin Road in Cavan Town, just beside Fresh Today. "We are just waiting for the lights to be commissioned there".

The Annagh trail near Ballyconnell has also been done to a very high standard .

The works on the Furnaceland Trail at Swanlinbar have been completed and looks well.

Superb access has also been provided on the Hawkswood trail and also provides local access for farmers.

Salt required for minor roads

Large lorries collecting milk from farmers on minor roads are having difficulty access various locations with these current wintry conditions according to Cllr Sean Smith. He called for salt to be left out in bins where farmers could access it locally and put it on those minor roads, to facilitate milk collections or meal deliveries.

"Maybe we should have a policy, where we could identify those particular roads and leave salt there over the winter period. A survey could be carried out to ascertain where milk trucks are negotiating these difficult situations", said Cllr Sean Smith.

John Paul Feeley said that salt seemed to be left in a lot less places locally and he called for this to be looked at again. "It does make a big difference, as the people on these affected roads are willing to spread it".

This was also supported by Cllr Peter McVitty who said it was a good idea.

The Chairman Brendan Fay also supported this initiative as he had quite a few calls about salt.

Paul Mulligan said they could now look at the places where the salt needs to be left and how "do we look for resources for leaving it there".

"If we could come back to me with locations where it is required. We have been doing this when we get calls about it. People will spread the salt, if it is left out for them in an area. We will not be able to get around to everyone, so we would need a prioritised list".

Other side cathedral Road

Replying the Cllr Madeline Argue and John Paul Feeley, the Engineer Paul Mulligan said that he would look and see if some funding can be secured to do some work on Cathedral Road, on the opposite side to where the new wide footpath has been paid.