Calls made for extension of Limerick footpath as people put lives ‘at risk’
CALLS have been made for the installation of a footpath outside a populous Limerick estate as residents are “putting their lives at risk” every time they enter the road.
Cois Teampaill, one of the newer estates on the outskirts of Newcastle West, has no proper footpath connection to the main town.
There is a small footpath located outside the gates of the estate but ends at the main road.
A footpath that leads into Newcastle West is located approximately 50 metres away from the estate but it begins on the opposite side of the busy R521 regional road.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Collins submitted a motion at the previous monthly meeting of the Newcastle West municipal district.
He moved that a footpath should be installed to connect the Cois Teampaill estate.
Cllr Collins mentioned that he has witnessed wheelchair users and young families putting their lives in danger as they entered the regional road.
“We’ve had issues all over our district where planning was given for developments but the proper infrastructure wasn’t imposed on developers to put in place.
“This is a prime example where they gave planning for a very nice development on the edge of town with no footpath connectivity. So now you have families living there or possibly people with disabilities accessing this space and if they want to walk into town they have to walk on the regional road, which is highly dangerous,” he added.
The meeting heard it may be possible to install a pedestrian crossing that will link up with the footpath further up the road but it is unconfirmed.
In a written reply to Cllr Collins’ motion, a council official stated that plans are in the pipeline.
“LCCC has included this pedestrian access to a list of NTA schemes and will be considered for action in the coming years,” the reply said.
Independent Cllr Jerome Scanlan also submitted a motion regarding footpaths in west Limerick at this month’s municipal meeting.
In his motion, Mr Scanlan called for the urgent renewal of footpaths at Castlemahon and Kileedy cemeteries.
The local authority has informed councillors that quotations have been sought for the replacement of damaged footpaths at the cemeteries.
“It is intended that these works will take place later this year or early next year,” stated Aidan Finn, senior engineer at Limerick City and County Council, in his reply.