Calls made to upgrade 'very dangerous' footpath in Leitrim town
A narrow and damaged footpath in Ballinamore is forcing pedestrians, wheelchair users and parents with buggies onto the busy road.
A footpath in Ballinamore is forcing wheelchair users and pedestrians onto the road due to its narrow width, as calls were made for Leitrim County Council to widen it.
Cllr Gary Prior put forward a motion at September’s meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District, asking Leitrim County Council to look at the footpath on the R199 on Railway Road, which connects the Lahard housing estate and the Railway Road housing area in the town.
Cllr Prior’s motion stated: “This section of the footpath is too narrow and has broken away in places. This footpath is used daily by parents with buggies, wheelchair users and older people.
“Due to the condition and lack of space, pedestrians are being forced out onto the busy road to pass safely.”
Cllr Prior told the meeting that the section of footpath is of “huge concern” to residents, with people being forced to cross the road because of it, despite there being no designated crossing.
“I would say it’s not even three feet wide. There’s a wheelchair user who is trying to navigate their way to avoid the narrow footpath,” he said, adding, “I would imagine it wouldn’t cost a huge amount to make the footpath safer. There’s no point waiting until we have an accident.”
He also noted that a lot of HGVs come in that road at “quite high speed” as well.
His motion was supported by all councillors in Ballinamore Municipal District.
“It’s a very dangerous section,” commented Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn. “Pedestrians are walking out on the road where there’s a high level of traffic.”
A response from the Roads Department confirmed that the Council’s Active Travel team has reviewed the proposal to improve and extend the footpath at this location. The section has been identified as part of a future Active Travel scheme, which would extend the footpath down to the junction for Swanlinbar.
“The works will be progressed subject to scheme development, funding availability and the necessary NTA approvals,” the reply concluded.
Cllr Prior noted that he had discussed the matter with the Active Travel team and that the footpath is “way down their list at the moment,” adding that he hopes it can be prioritised sooner.