Footpath from Kilnaleck to Kill Cross

Funding has been acquired to complete the footpath out to Kill crossroads from Kilnaleck.

Fine Gael’s Trevor Smith explained that the footpath commenced a few years ago and now the push is on to have it extended to Kill cross.

“This road is very busy with pedestrians walking to a near-by industry and recreational walkers doing a loop walk via Kill. Following a fatal accident a number of years ago, a recommendation from the inquest suggested a footpath be put in place,” he outlined at a recent meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Authority.

Executive Engineer John McGahern said funding had been granted for this project. “It is to allow the development of a footpath from the existing footpath out to the handball alley. The funding was provided by the National Transport Authority under an active travel measure,” he confirmed.

“Works are expected to start this summer,” added Mr McGahern.

MD chairman Craig Lovett said both Cllr Smith and himself were strongly lobbied on the issue and he also pointed out that workers are walking along that road at night time.

“I am now aware that you have got funding to bring the footpath as far as the speed limit sign. I am one hundred per cent sure that the footpath needs to be brought as far as Kill Crossroads,” he said.

Mr McGahern pointed out that the crossroads is only a couple of yards away. “It is pretty much on the crossroads,” he said.

Cllr Lovett: “It is not before time that it is now being done and hopefully it will stop any accidents in the future. It is a busy part of the road, with people walking along it 24 hours of the day.”