Sweeney: Milford footpath needs installed ‘before there is a tragedy’

Renewed calls have been made to the Donegal County Council to immediately install a footpath “before there is a tragedy”-  it has been claimed.

Aontú representative Mary T Sweeney said the issue is all the more pressing in the dark, winter months and claims that the lack of a footpath between Mulroy Woods Hotel and the Milford Retail Park on a busy stretch is a danger to both pedestrians and drivers.

“I’ve been highlighting this issue since last year,” she said. “I understand the Donegal County Council is aware of this dangerous health and safety situation and cannot understand why there appears to be no urgency in upgrading this short stretch to even create a basic footpath, on the road verge.

“It’s almost impossible to see pedestrians on this stretch, especially when they wear dark clothing. Road users have approached me to raise concerns about the safety of the pedestrians, so many walking with prams and often, other children.

“I shudder when I think of a family I saw recently trying to traverse this road in the dark, is this the best we can do to ensure the safety of pedestrians in Donegal.  Pedestrians are nervous and drivers are nervous as they all  recognise the dangers.

“It is surely unsafe practice for our County Council to expect the residents of the Mulroy Park Hotel to continue navigating the traffic on this stretch of roads outside Milford without a footpath or lighting.

“This pedestrian access for parents and children who have to walk this road to get to the town of Milford or to access the supermarket, have no choice but to take their lives in their hands, now especially, in the winter months to negotiate this dangerous section of the roadway. Donegal County Council needs to take action on this immediately before there is a tragedy”.