Near misses reported on Laois road as disability centre waiting years for footpath

Progress has yet to be made on extending a footpath to cater to a Laois service for people with disabilities, despite ongoing calls for a number of years.

The battle to extend the footpath on the Ballyfin Road in Mountrath to link up to The Muiríosa Foundation's day care centre for disabled children and adults has been dragged on for years. 

The Muiríosa Foundation provides a respite facility and services to children and adults with varying levels of intellectual disabilities and their families. The facility has operated in Mountrath for nearly twenty years.

Councillor James Kelly brought the issue to the attention of Laois County Council again at the January meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD. He had raised the motion at the Municipal District's December meeting, but no work has started yet.

Cllr Kelly originally requested that Laois County Council extend the footpath in 2022 following an appeal from staff at the centre.

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There was a survey carried out in response to the request almost four years ago, however work has still not been completed.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, 14 January, Cllr Kelly said: "I have been alerted to the fact there has been a couple of near misses on that short piece of road there. As I mentioned before, the footpath is only about 140m on the Ballyfin road.

"If we could get out to look at that road and do a survey as soon as possible so that hopefully we can get funding. It is very important that we address this issue as soon as possible."

Cllr Kelly told the council back in December that the footpath is needed to assist clients in the care of the centre as staff and clients currently have to make their way along the road without any footpath.

He added: "The provision would greatly enhance safe access to the town for clients and staff, many of whom are wheelchair users." 

Laois County Council's Area Office told Cllr Kelly in December that they and elected members would agree an Annual Footpath Works Programme early in 2026 subject to available budget.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme