Laois County Council have delivered a new footpath linking Stradbally town to Oakvale cemetery on the N80 Carlow Road.
However, the project has not been smooth sailing.
Stradbally-based Fine Gael Local Area Representative, Vivienne Phelan, has highlighted an obstruction on the route which “presents a serious hazard to pedestrians” on what is a well-known dangerous stretch of road.
Obstruction poses a danger to wheelchair users, pushchairs, the visually impaired and all pedestrians.
Commenting on the issue Ms Phelan said:
“I was delighted to learn this project was proceeding to construction and it’s brilliant to see the footpath is now in place allowing locals to access the cemetery on foot.
“It is excellent to see the new piece of infrastructure being delivered, but there remains an issue which needs to be resolved.”
Local residents have expressed concern about an obstruction in the form of a wooden telegraph pole which has been located in the middle of the footpath.
Ms Phelan said the pole has “rendered the new footpath unsafe to many and not fit for purpose.”
“This situation must be urgently reviewed before an accident occurs as it is difficult for some pedestrians to bypass the pole.”
Laois County Council and the local area engineer have been asked to issue an update on this issue and asked to ensure accessibility is to the forefront in all public projects in the county.
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