Safety concerns prompt call for footpath to Milford

Donegal County Council has been urged to find urgent funding to build a footpath on a busy road into Milford town centre.

Councillor Pauric McGarvey raised safety concerns today over the lack of a footpath from The Lagg Service Station and Mulroy Woods Hotel to Milford Retail Park.

With approximately 140 Ukrainian refugees accommodated in the Mulroy Woods Hotel, the roadside has been worn thin by people walking to the nearest supermarket at Lidl.

Councillor McGarvey told the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District’s monthly meeting this week that “it’s only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured or killed” if funding is not secured for a footpath.

Councillor McGarvey said he has seen flocks of students and refugees walking on the grass verge, as well as young children on tricycles and parents carrying shopping bags.

“It’s not only Ukrainian people, it’s local people walking up and down to the Lidl. It’s the main retailer in the area,” Councillor McGarvey said.

“Funding has been asked for numerous times before, and it's badly needed.”

Councillors were told that an application for the footpath was made to the Community Recognition fund, which was set up for communities hosting people from Ukraine, but it was unsuccessful. The council said that there is currently no funding to build the path, but if other possible sources of funding become available they will be considered.

Councillor Liam Blaney said that the project should be been deserving of the Community Recognition funding, as the footpath would possibly help to save a life.

“I know the roads section has done all they can over the years to get funding but hopefully someone will listen somewhere along the line,” Councillor Blaney said.