Fresh accessibility audits planned across Leitrim towns next year

A walkability audit is being considered for Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill to assess the accessibility of the towns, including for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Audits have also been confirmed for Dromahair and Carrigallen next year as part of the Age Friendly Strategy.

The last audit in Carrick-on-Shannon was carried out in 2019, while Mohill’s was completed in 2023.

At November’s meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Cormac Flynn urged Leitrim County Council to conduct an accessibility audit in Carrick-on-Shannon, with a view to extending the audit to all towns and villages in the district and county.

His motion followed representations from several wheelchair and mobility scooter users in Carrick-on-Shannon.

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“Carrick-on-Shannon is a very hilly town and conditions aren’t ideal for mobility scooter and wheelchair users, and those who are visually impaired,” said Cllr Cormac Flynn.

He noted that some of the town’s footpaths are uneven and quite high, with certain sections forcing wheelchair users off the path and onto the road before they can rejoin the footpath. He described some of these areas as “daunting” for wheelchair users.

Cllr Flynn also urged the Council to create mobility ramps for businesses with a step at their entrance to improve accessibility. “With a modern approach, a lot of these issues could be overcome,” he said.

A response from the Roads Department stated that walkability audits were carried out in Manorhamilton, Ballinamore and at Carrick-on-Shannon train station in 2024, with Mohill completed in 2023. All audits included members of the public with mobility issues.

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The audits primarily identify obstacles that hinder wheelchair access, such as missing dropped kerbs and obstructions on footpaths that block wheelchair or mobility scooter passage.

The response further noted that Leitrim County Council may redo audits in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill, as significant public realm works have been completed in both towns since the previous audits.