'Intensive monitoring' planned for Ballina footbridge affected by 'abandoned' cars

The traffic warden in Ballina is to "intensively monitor" access to the footbridge along Ridgepool Road to ensure that wheelchair users can access it.

Cllr Annie May Reape brought a notice of motion before last week's meeting of the Ballina Municipal District asking Mayo County Council to provide a safe access to the footpath on the Ridgepool Road for wheelchair users to be able to access the new bridge.

Cllr Reape expressed concern that "on a daily basis" access is blocked with cars parking on the yellow box.

"A lot of people seem to be abandoning their cars there, blocking the yellow box and people cannot bring their wheelchairs or parents cannot bring their buggies onto the path," she said.

In a written response, Mayo Co Council engineer Declan Ginnelly said the traffic warden has been asked to inspect the access to the footbridge and take appropriate action where necessary to make sure wheelchair users can access the area.

His colleague Orla Bourke told the meeting that the area will now be part of the warden's daily patrol. 

In response to a query from Cllr Reape over the warden's ability to cover Ridgepool Road on an ongoing basis, Ms Bourke assured her the area would be covered and appropriate action taken against offending motorists.

"We are committed to monitoring this area and we can focus on the area during daily patrols. There is intensive monitoring planned to ensure that access is adhered to," she said.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.