‘Few near misses’ for councillor on Cahercalla Road

COUNCILLOR James Breen has described how he had “a few near misses” on the Cahercalla Road when out canvassing.

The footpath on the Ashline side of the road is incomplete in three locations, while a hedge also obstructs part of the footpath.
“You have to step out on the road and back onto the footpath, it’s extremely dangerous. I had a few near misses when I was out canvassing. I see no excuse in the world why it’s been so long and it’s not complete,” he commented.
Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer outlined, “There is a footpath on the town side of Cahercalla Road and the footpath on the Ashline side of the road is incomplete in three locations and a hedge at another location obstructs part of the footpath.
“The shorter section of incomplete footpath is a wall on the frontage to a narrow site and the applicant has been conditioned to set back the frontage and provide the footpath.
“The two longer sections of incomplete footpath are along the frontage of houses that were constructed in the 1970s and the road is not wide enough to provide for a footpath without setting back the stone walls on the private properties.
“The council will examine the feasibility of providing uncontrolled pedestrian crossings at the speed ramps to facilitate pedestrians on the Ashline side to cross over to the town side of the road.”
Town manager Ger Dollard added he would hope that motorists would “exercise civic mindedness and not park on the footpath”.