Demand made for more bus shelters in west Cavan

Following pressure the council are looking at the prospect of erecting new bus shelters in Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Swanlinbar.

The update was provided to meeting of Cavan-Belturbet councillors by Senior Area Engineer Paul Mulligan who said that a “lot of time” had been put into exploring the best and safe locations.

He was responding to a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith, who said he was aware of the growing numbers using public transport in the county.

She said that people across the west of the county had been asking about the provision of bus shelters in towns and villages.

Sinn Féin’s Damien Brady supported the motion, highlighting Daisy Hill in Ballyconnell, a site used to pick up school children as being one place in need of a shelter.

Independent Brendan Fay said the need for a bus shelter in Belturbet was well established going back many years.

“Safety” however remains paramount, he said, whilst highlighting once again the plight of people living near Poles who had asked for a bus shelter in their area too.

John Paul Feeley said that a shelter had been installed at Glenfarne on the main Sligo to Enniskillen road, yet Blacklion was still left waiting.

He added that a shelter should also be provided outside Loughan House.

Fine Gael’s Niamh Brady and Patricia Walsh (FF) also offered their support.

Mr Mulligan said there needs to be community consensus on locations.

At present the council is working on a design for three locations - in Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Swanlinbar.

But he said of the Daisy Hill site, there is a problem with buses pulling in.

It was “not safe” with people crossing the road in front of buses on what is a very busy road. “It needs to be properly assessed and it needs to be safe,” said Mr Mulligan of any location where bus shelters are being planned.

However, he left the door open on Daisy Hill in the future, telling the meeting saying “that’s not to say no”, only that “currently” safety was a concern.