Portlaoise train station 'fierce obstacle' to wheelchair users
A survey on how accessible Portlaoise is to wheelchair users has found some damning issues.
Accessiblity to the Laois town's busy train station is a problem, along with older footpaths and some council houses occupied by wheelchair users.
Motorists are also blamed for parking at drop kerbs, so people in wheelchairs can't cross the road.
The Irish Wheelchair Association has given a list of recommendations to Laois County Council, who say they will be fixed, but "incrementally".
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley tabled a motion to the recent meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking them to implement the recommendations.
"We in the Housing SPC had a presentation form the association. It was an eye opener for me as we could see first hand the cars parked at drop kerbs so anybody in a wheelchair couldn't get down off the path.
"There are lots of trip hazards. They told us the train station was a fierce obstacle compared to Portarlington which is very wheelchair friendly.
"A different road service that €500,000 or €600,000 was spent on is a problem for them. It is important to hear that feedback. I can't understand why their views were not taken into consideration when these council works were done.
"An individual who was housed and is in a wheelchair is struggling to get in and out of their house.
"I've asked them to do the same presentation at the full council meeting. We need to learn lessons," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
Cllr Barry Walsh had compiled the report after taking part in Make Way Day in Portlaoise.
"It was based on the survey, I was wheeled around in a wheelchair, it would open your eyes. I presented this to the Disability Steering Committee and tho the SPC and I'm happy to do it to the full council," he said.
He said that Cllr Paschal McEvoy and Cllr John Joe Fennelly took part in the day in their own areas of Stradbally and Abbeyleix.
"In fairness to the engineers, all the new footpaths recognise the issues, it's the old ones, as well as street furniture that need to be looked at.
"The IWA need to be kept informed and their voices heard. All of us need to get behind it," Cllr Walsh said.
Simon Walton is the Director of Services for roads.
"On Make Way Day we ensured that all area offices participated. We have the report the IWA produced, and we are happy to implement the measures in so far as we can. Local people have specific challenges regarding infrastructure and we're happy to support that.
We have arranged meetings with the IWA and it will be incremental but ongoing," Mr Walton said.
Cllr Fennelly said he has a brother who uses a wheelchair, and cited the narrow parking spaces in Lyster Square as a problem for large wheelchair vans.
Cllr Thomasina Fennelly who is also on the Housing SPC said she was shocked at the report.
"People in wheelchairs are having difficulty getting down the Main Street. The unfairness is pronounced," she said.