By Andy Spearman
Having spent billions on roads in the past two or three decades whilst at the same time neglecting the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, it seems that Local Authorities are finally, with prodding from elected representatives, making up for lost time.
How anyone ever thought it was a good idea to build roads without pavements strikes me as peculiar. Did they think that, with the invention of cars, nobody would walk or cycle ever again? With fuel prices going the way they are many more of us will be pulling the old bike out of the shed.
In Donacarney they even built a school with no access to a footpath or cycle way. Sorry, there is a foot path and cycleway there but it only extends for the length of the school site – some 100 metres or so.
The really good news however is that the long-awaited Donacarney to Bettystown footpath and cycleway has finally received Part 8 Planning Permission which means that unless there are any issues raised in the next six weeks, the scheme will go ahead.
The scheme was first proposed by Councillor Sharon Tolan back in 2016 and, fair play to her, she has championed the project ever since.
“This has been a long and difficult process, but I am delighted that we are now one step closer to seeing this much needed safe footpath and cycleway delivered for the people of both Donacarney and Bettystown, and the wider East Meath area” she said.
“This footpath will ensure children can access their school safely on foot or by bike, but also delivers that important link for residents in Donacarney to safely walk or cycle to Bettystown and on to Laytown if they wish.
I am disappointed it has taken so long to get it to this stage and I have been assured that as soon as the six weeks have passed and the planning is officially granted, that the detailed design and tender documents will progress very quickly.”
North Road Pedestrian Works begin
There was more good news in Drogheda last week when work began on pedestrian and cycle paths on the North Road.
Nudging Louth County Council along on this project was Independent Councillor Kevin Callan who has campaigned to have a safe walking and cycling route put in place on the North Road, Rosehall, Mell loop and he welcomed the first temporary measures that have been put in place.
Councillor Callan said this was a move in the right direction.
“I would like to thank the Council for the installation of these bollards which already provide walkers, runners and cyclists with far more space to safely move about and this route is critical as a public amenity” he said.
Senior Engineer Mark Johnston told Callan that the Active Travel funding would bring more permanent features but the bollards going in this week provide for us to see the take up of the extra space.
Councillor Callan said that the overall project which will create safe points at the roundabout at the M1 retail park as well heading back towards Mell are vitally important to people who have come to rely on this route for exercise and we should make sure that everything that can be done is done to make it both user friendly and user safe.
