Decade-long safety issue persists in Leitrim town

Leitrim County Council are seeking legal advice regarding the installation of a “much needed” footbridge on Sean Mac Diarmada Street in Manorhamilton.

Cllr Felim Gurn proposed a motion, highlighting that the need for a footbridge has been an ongoing issue for over a decade, and “to date, nothing has been done.” In his motion, he emphasised that the matter should be addressed through legal avenues, such as a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) which allows land or property to be acquired without the owner's consent.

A reply from the Roads department noted that legal correspondence on behalf of Leitrim County Council indicated that the area is not appropriate for CPO due to privately owned sheds underneath the pathway.

Additionally, ownership of the pathway itself remains unresolved.

Cllr Gurn pointed to Leitrim Village as an example of the type of footbridge that should be installed.

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Guidelines, introduced in 2012, prohibit the construction of houses with direct houses onto national primary roads, as it could compromise safety and the functionality of the roads.

“There has always been an issue here regarding traffic and people navigating the bridge,” Cllr Gurn said.

He stressed that since a CPO is not viable, other solutions need to be explored urgently to prevent potential pedestrian fatalities.

“This has been a contentious issue for people trying to access Castle Street and Creamery Road safely,” his motion stated.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Fallon who described the area as a very busy thoroughfare.

The response from the Roads department added that one possible alternative could be the development of a footpath on the existing bridge deck, incorporating a short give way or shuttle traffic system to reduce vehicle flow.

Legal advice on the matter will continue to be pursued. 

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