The state of the County’s footpaths was a major talking point at the monthly meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal Council last week.
Several County Cllrs had their say on the matter, which has increasingly become an issue in recent years.
Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy was first to raise the issue, calling on the Council to repair the paths in St. John’s Square, saying:
“It’s one of the older estates in the town, with a mature age group living there.
It’s a lovely place but I’m told it is very many years since the footpaths were looked at – and there are people living there with mobility issues.”
Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer said he will meet with Cllr Tuohy on site to examine the paths in question and make arrangements to have repairs carried out as required.
The motion was supported by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.
Later in the same meeting, Cllr Fitzgerald also called on the Council to install railings on the footpath under the railway bridge on the Mountrath Road.
Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer responded saying:
“The Portlaoise Municipal District Office will liaise with Irish Rail regarding a proposal to widen the footpaths where possible beneath the Railway Birdge on the Mountrath Road, Portlaoise.”
The Fianna Fáil Cllr also inquired as to why the railings could not be installed similar to those on the Mountmellick Road bridge.
Mr Wilkinson said the width of the footpaths in question are less than one metre in places, which would make railings problematic.
The Senior Executive Engineer insisted he would liaise with Irish Rail about the possibility of widening the footpath.
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