Laois schoolchildren forced off narrow path onto road claims councillor

Laois schoolchildren are stepping off a narrow footpath onto a road to get past an overgrown hedge, a local councillor claims.

However Laois County Council says it has no money to widen the path, or to fix any other path in the county.

The problem has sparked a plan to get every county in Ireland to back Laois and demand a footpath budget from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien.

Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa in Ballyroan village has about 180 pupils, with some walking to school.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh tabled a motion to the June meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking the council to use Active Travel funding or any other suitable funding to widen the footpath.

He said that the problem area is less than 100 metres long.

"In one portion the hedge is encroaching on the path. The path is less than one metre wide, in parts it's only 500 or 600 mils, we need to try and get a safe solution for the kids," he said.

The council states that there is no dedicated fund for footpath repairs provided by the Government and the path is not on their 2025 roadworks list. They say "should suitable funding become available, a widening scheme could be considered".

Cllr Walsh said he is disappointed. 

"It is really a safety hazard. It is barely wide enough for one person to walk by. I see children stepping on the road. That obviously brings dangers.

"I've been bringing this up since I started in the council (in 2021). It's not good enough. If there is any funding in the interim, would line marking be available, or bollards? Is that possibly a solution?" he asked.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconded the motion.

"Any opportunity should be availed of for safety around school. I ask the council to meet Barry on site," he said.

Laois County Council Director of Service Simon Walton said that all Laois councillors are going to ask for a new fund especially for paths repairs from the state.

"A similar fund for roads has transformed the overall condition of the road network. That's the only opportunity for funding, together with multiple other paths around the county.  We could write again, we had little feedback. If there are interim low cost measures to improve safety, we'll be happy to meet you on site," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Walsh again emphasised that there is a safety hazard.

"Young kids are having to walk off the path," he said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan agreed.

"When it comes to school, young children aged 5 or 6 find it difficult walking without someone holding their hand. Special needs is something we should be providing for too. This is a vital issue," he said.

A national budget was discussed at the Regional Authority meeting, says Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

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"Our pedestrian money is a drop in the ocean. Maybe at the next meeting we can ask other counties to support us. Can we put it on the agenda of the next Laois County Council meeting to contact all other county councils and request it from the department," she suggests.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley suggest also asking the Minister for Transport to create the budget.

"Down my years in the town councils there was a budget for paths. Now we are only scratching the surface," she added.