Longford safe cycleway proposal sparks MD rivalry

The Ballymahon Municipal District meeting saw councillors Paul Ross (FG) and Mark Casey (Ind) at loggerheads over the potential for funding a safe cycleway or walkway to accommodate road users on Ardagh Mountain.

A motion moved by Cllr Ross called on Longford County Council to seek funding to install a safe cycleway or walkway up Ardagh Mountain from the moor to connect the mountain walk back to the village.

The motion also sought support for a proposal to seek funding to install a dedicated off-road mountain bike trail in Newcastle Forest to cater for the “fast growing sport”.

Cllr Ross said the proposal was dual functioning; providing for the safety of vulnerable road users, while also enhancing a piece of infrastructure that would be attractive to tourists.

Cllr Casey was less than impressed with the proposal. Noting that the next local election will take place in 2024 the Independent elected representative said: “This looks like a vote catching exercise. Are we going to go through the next year with motions like this filling up the agenda? This is wasting out time.”

This contention was countered by Cllr Ross who said such projects were favoured by the Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan: “This could be applied for under the Safe Routes to School Programme.

“That programme is designed to encourage as many pupils and students as possible in primary and post-primary schools to walk and cycle. It's 100% funded, you've got to follow the money.
“The people who live on this road know the speed some road users travel at, it's important to make provision for vulnerable road users.”

Cllr Ross said developing the cycleway has great potential: “There is a great demand for this particular tourism product. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Having a dedicated mountain bike trail would enhance the county's tourism offering.” he concluded.