Footpath issues highlighted

Ongoing issues with footpaths drew the ire of councillors at the November meeting of the Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District.

Aontú member, Cllr Sarah O’Reilly highlighted issues with the Kells Road in Bailieborough where she said the footpath needs to be extended further from the town.

“There are people who are blind and elderly people living out that road and it needs to be extended out,” she told the meeting. Councillors were told that work is ongoing on costing the project and an update should be provided shortly.

Meanwhile, Council Chair Clifford Kelly (FF) said a survey had previously been carried out on all footpaths in the Municipal District area. He asked if one had been carried out recently and, if not, could another take place to assess works needed.

County Council Director of Services for Transportation, Environment and Water Services, Paddy Connaughton, asked Cllr Kelly to raise any concerns he had about footpaths in specific locations.

MD Cathaoirleach Paddy McDonald (SF) said “there are some very bad spots” and backed up calls for works to be undertaken.

Separately, Cootehill Councillor Carmel Brady (FG) praised work that had been undertaken to improve access to a well known local amenity.

She had urged action to clear a footpath leading from the town to Halton’s Lake after bushes and trees had grown over it.

“It’s cleared the footpath so there’s more space for buggies and wheelchairs to get past,” she told the meeting. However, she said there was still a need to widen the path to create more space. She said work is ongoing to draw up an application for Clár funding to be submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development.