A Laois County Councillor has called for the replacement of a footpath in a local village.

The footpath on the Clough road in Ballacolla is 'unwalkable' when wet, according to Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney.

"When the weather is wet, this footpath is flooded. You can't walk on it," Cllr Clooney argued.

"We are all for road safety, and footpaths are awfully important. You can't walk the roads anymore because of the speed of the traffic.

"It's vitally important that footpaths are done properly, that they are safe to walk on, we have to find money somewhere if the footpaths are not. What's the price of a life?" the Cllr questioned.

Pictured: footpath on the Clough road, Ballacolla. Photo: Google Maps

"The footpath there is in atrocious condition, and this is going on a long time. In however many years, nothing has been done, not a thing. I look forward to meeting the Area Office onsite and hopefully there will be money in the bag so we can do something about this," Cllr Clooney said.

Rory O'Callagan, Senior Engineer with Laois County Council, replied that these works will be assessed.

"The Area Office will meet on-site with Cllr Clooney to assess and agree the required footpath upgrade works," Mr O'Callaghan said.

Fine Gael Cllr John King supported this motion.

"When work is done in good weather, it takes half the time," he said.

The Cllr questioned whether a new worker been instated since a previous worker left, leaving a vacancy.

The Council replied that they are working to fill this role. 

This motion was tabled at the May sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.

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