Call for more funds for footpaths in Mayo towns

An East Mayo councillor has called for more funding for footpaths in Swinford and Charlestown.

Cllr Gerry Murray told the February meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District that he had received several calls from pedestrians who had fallen.

"The council pays out several million euro on these falls and where people are walking there is a huge amount of maintenance needed. If a million was spent every year maintaining paths in the county it would save a lot, so I do think we need to increase the budget for footpaths.”

Cllr Damien Ryan agreed, saying: “Of the money being paid out, a chunk of that should be put into footpath maintenance and repairs.” 

Cllr Ryan also suggested that Active Travel projects may be impacting the situation, saying: “We are always talking about Active Travel and everything being pedestrian friendly, but I think this has depleted footpath replacement. A balance is needed as we can’t stand idly by and let pedestrian links disimprove. We need more funding for footpaths.” 

He further asked that the bus stop at the Bank on Glebe Street in Ballinrobe be looked at again by the council as it continues to impact traffic flow.

“They need to work on it now and not just tell us they are considering it. If that bus stop does have to move to Cornmarket, then everything around it has to fall into line as well.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.