Safety concerns raised over pedestrians walking along busy road

A local councillor has expressed concern over groups of people walking along a busy road between Charlestown and an emergency accommodation building outside the town.

“Someone will be killed and that’s not a maybe,” warned Cllr Adrian Forkan, who told last week's meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District that people are regularly walking between Charlestown Lodge and the town. The premises at Sonnagh was previously St Anne's Nursing Home.

“There are people walking on the side of the road into Charlestown at all hours of the day and night. It is just waiting for someone to be killed along it,” he said.

Cllr Gerry Murray said he has also received a lot of correspondence regarding this issue, noting it was a major safety concern.

Director of Services Tom Gilligan said he is aware of the issue and has been liaising with Bus Éireann to set up a designated bus stop at this location. He said documents are being prepared at the moment and he expects progress within the next week.