Footpaths in Laois town 'must be widened' amid serious safety concerns

Fianna Fáil County Councillor Paddy Bracken has asked Laois County Council to consider installing a new footpath in Mountmellick.

Cllr Bracken tabled a motion that in the interest of pedestrian safety and for people with mobility issues, Laois County Council install a new section of footpath approximately 50 metres in length on the R422 at Irishtown, Mountmellick.

"This is a very busy footpath section here, right across from St Vincent's Hospital, and parts of this path are not two feet wide," Cllr Bracken argued.

"An awful lot of people in St Joseph's Terrace use this footpath, people are walking that area the whole time, in and around the block. There is no space at all for a buggy or a push chair on this path," Cllr Bracken highlighted.

"There is room on the road to extend this footpath and widen it. I know there is an issue with the two properties here, but I say we should get them to agree with this. It needs to be done and is a very serious safety issue for pedestrians, it is very serious," Cllr Bracken finished.

.Mr. Rory O’ Callaghan, S.E.E. Senior Executive Engineer for Laois County Council's Road Division, replied that a survey will be carried out.

"A detailed level survey will be carried out and a design for the location will be developed," Mr O'Callaghan said.

"The widening of this footpath will include the setback of some of the roadside boundary of two private homeowners. Consent will be needed for these homeowners. The Area Office will contact these homeowners prior to carrying out the survey and subsequent design," Mr O'Callaghan finished.

Cllr Bracken's motion was seconded by fellow Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McDonald.

This matter was raised at the November sitting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District of Laois County Council.