Commitment to address footpaths in Longford town

Longford Municipal District councillors were unanimous in a call to put in place a programme to improve the footpaths in the county town.

Councillor Seamus Butler tabled the motion calling on Longford MD to agree to the implementation of a five year footpath rehabilitation programme with the executive and engineering staff commencing in Autumn 2024.

The Fianna Fail elected representative acknowledged that the proposal was not a clear cut matter: “Funding is going to be the big problem,” he said.

Cllr Butler said under 2014 local government act legislation monies from parking fees or parking fines are ring-fenced within the municipal district: “For too long those funds have gone into the general coffers of the County Council. From now on that is not going to be the case.”

He said the issue needs immediate attention: “The footpaths are used by more than just pedestrians. There are areas where wheelchair users and people with disabilities can hardly get out of their house.”

Executive Engineer, Brian Faughnan, said the draft rehabilitation is prepared in Autumn with the agreement of all members: “We will look at the different areas of town and see where the money needs to be spent. Obviously we won't be able to do all the footpaths, we have to prioritise based on the funding available.”

The motion was seconded by Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi, who said: “There needs to be a commitment to the funding of footpaths to ensure it is maintained. It's a piece of infrastructure that is used by everybody.”

Cllr Adejinmi said by spending more on footpath maintenance the local authority would reduce the payouts on insurance claims.

Cllr Gerry Hagan commended his colleague on moving the motion: “I welcome this notice of motion. By working together we can improve the pathways and walkways in our MD, especially throughout our town.”

Cllr Hagan highlighted one particular walkway: “One of the worst footpaths in the town leads from the Red Cow roundabout to Clonbalt Woods. I hope it will be one of the first ones to be on the five year programme.”

Agreeing with the proposal, Cllr Peggy Nolan said all members “were singing from the same hymn sheet”.