Local Link should link in with community when coming up with routes - Flynn

A Leitrim councillor has said that "small local knowledge could make a big difference to the operations of Local Link and I think it's missing a trick."

Cllr Cormac Flynn said that while "acknowledging the phenomenally positive impact that Local Link has provided to the people of Leitrim, I ask for the members to join in asking Leitrim County Council to invite representatives of Local Link to address the chamber to discuss future plans for expansion and growth and allow us as councillors to provide local knowledge and context in such matters. 

Cllr Flynn noted that Local Link is one of the "biggest success stories of the last 15 years; you could get up to a dozen representations in relation to Local Link and sometimes people on the ground have brilliant ideas. One bus comes in from Drumshanbo and all it would take is a slight deviation in by the back of Hartley business park and it could go down to St Partick's Park and bring people to the post office."

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He said that by inviting Local Link to speak to members it would "be an opportunity for them to explain to us what are the plans and the rational for sticking with certain routes. They may look at population density but we know that while there may be high population density, every person has access to a car where there may be another route with a low density population but those living there are older and don't have access to a car."

He said he believed this would make a "really good service even better."

Cllr Maeve Reynolds supported the motion and said she believed there are "a few minor tweaks that could make a big difference". 

Cllr Sean McGowan also supported the motion.