Saga of narrow footpaths continues to rumble on in Portlaoise

A HANDRAIL or some form of safety measure should be installed along the footpath under the railway bridge at Grattan Street/Mountrath Road in Portlaoise.

That was the call from cllr Tommy Mulligan at the recent meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District Council, when he raised the issue of safety concerns for pedestrians and wheelchair users who use the footpath.

Senior engineer Wes Wilkinson said that the issue had been raised previously at MD level.

He said that a topographical survey had been undertaken at the site and in its vicinity to determine if the footpath could be widened to allow for a safety rail to be installed. He said his staff were arranging to meet officials from Irish Rail to discuss the findings of the survey and to examine “options to improve safety” for pedestrians using the footpaths under the bridge.

Mr Wilkinson said: “The width of the footpaths in that area there are quite narrow, narrower that those along the Mountmellick Road. They’re more restricted. The reason handrails weren’t put up previously was that by installing a handrail, it would further restrict the width of the footpath at the location. Which, inadvertently, would give rise to a risk of people either having to walk outside the railing if they were meeting oncoming (foot) traffic, or maybe buggies or wheelchairs not being able to use the path. Railings can also be a hazard for cyclists. Those risks were taken into consideration as to why railings haven’t been installed to date. Maybe to gain some footpath width, you’d have to narrow the roadway.” 

 Cllr Mulligan said that concerns have been raised with him because of the increased volume of traffic on the road from the new housing developments and the large schools in the area.

“I think that we should go ahead with the handrail,” said cathaoirleach Aird, “provided it doesn’t impair wheelchair users. I think there is enough width on the footpath”.

He said: “As you go out the Mountrath Road, you could slip or fall off the footpath under the bridge because of the height of it. The handrail would be a help there.” “Elderly people are nervous walking under the bridge because the path is so narrow. They are afraid that they could fall. It is dangerous,” said cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

Cllr Mulligan said: “I think it’s an accident waiting to happen. There’s a realistic problem of actually being sucked under a car or a lorry.” 

 Cllr Barry Walsh suggested installing “one good footpath and a pedestrian crossing up a bit further, rather than two narrow footpaths."

Mr Wilkinson said that all options would be looked at.