The top problem in a Laois town for pedestrians with mobility issues
Mountmellick locals have their say withTown Regeneration officers and Age Friendly Ireland
Mountmellick residents with physical mobility issues, got a unique chance recently to highlight any problems in getting around their town to a large group of experts from around Ireland.
The Laois town welcomed a national gathering of Town Regeneration officers, when The National Town Centre First Office held their most recent meeting there on Wednesday, May 22 2024.
Ahead of the day, Laois County Council had invited local people to join them in a Walkability Audit of Mountmellick, and 10 volunteers decided to give their time on the day.
They met 16 town regeneration officers from all around Ireland at Mountmellick Community Arts Centre and undertook the walk of the town in association with Age Friendly Ireland.
Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer with Laois County Council, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how it went and what the top findings are.
"While the event was being used to demonstrate what was involved in conducting such an audit, the results of the audit will also be very beneficial to the Mountmellick Town Centre First Plan for which Mountmellick received funding for earlier in the year.
"10 volunteers with mobility issues took part highlighting what was good and not so good with regard to footpaths, pedestrian crossings, lighting among other issues.
"One of the main problems identified by the volunteers was illegal parking of vehicles on footpaths which make them inaccessible for people with mobility issues," she said.
There is hope that the audit can have real results.
"The benefit of such audits was highlighted by a volunteer who stated that he took part in a similar audit in Portlaoise a few years ago and the improvements made there were remarkable. Mountmellick will be hoping to follow suit," Ms Rainey said.
Mountmellick is the second town in Laois to get funding for a Town Centre First Plan, following its success in Rathdowney. The plan will open the door to apply for grants to improve the town as a place to live, shop, work and visit.
The attendees from Age friendly Ireland included Emer Coveney, National Programme manager, Declan Gaffney, National Technical Adviser, Eileen Hughes Midlands Regional Manager, and Tom Curran Programme Manager.
The National Town Centre First Office representatives included Mairead Hunt, National Coordinator, Donal O Murchadha, Project Manager Sharon O, Gara Project Lead and Billy Sheehy Project officer.