Footpaths upgrade won’t extend to Clare town’s oldest estate

“RISKY” footpaths around Tulla are to be upgraded, however a funding allocation from the Department of Transport will not cover pavements repairs in one of the area’s oldest housing estates. 

The matter is one of ongoing concern in the East Clare town and was back on the agenda at the most recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District. Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney appealed to the authority to replace the main footpath in O’Reilly Park in conjunction with the upgrade works for the centre of the town. The Fine Gael member tabled a motion calling on the Council to take the opportunity to address a long-standing problem for residents. 

In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Niamh Madden said the funding available to the Council only covered the town’s main streets. “

The footpath upgrade works for the town of Tulla are being funded by a grant awarded by the Department of Transport as part of the Active Travel scheme,” her response outlined.

“The allocation granted to Clare County Council for this project does not include the footpaths in O’Reilly Park. This grant will go so far as to allow Clare County Council to address the worst affected sections of footpath along the primary streets within the town.

However, Clare County Council is confident that these works will not only improve safety for pedestrians, but they will also enhance the visual appeal of Tulla. The Killaloe Municipal District does not currently have funding to carry out footpath improvement works in O’Reilly Park but should such funding become available in the future, Clare County Council will consider O’Reilly Park for footpath upgrade works.” 

Meanwhile, Councillor Pat Hayes, who also tabled a motion looking for an update on the pavement upgrading works, described the investment as “beneficial”. “Any day that we get government funding for services in Tulla is a good one,” he said.

“There is disappointment, of course, that the Council isn’t in a position at the moment to do the repairs in O’Reilly Park. The paths in the centre of Tulla are a big concern and some of those are risky enough, so I’d be anxious that they would be repaired as soon as possible. I understand that one contract has been awarded for works and that another set will soon go to tender.”

In a written response to the motion from Councillor Hayes, Ms Madden outlined that the funding will be spent on the most damaged sections of footpaths in Tulla.

“Repair works will be carried out on Main Street, Church Street and also from the courthouse to beyond the post office and the adjacent commercial premises,” the reply said.

“The replacement surface will generally be equivalent to what is already in situ, i.e. where tarmac footpaths are currently present, the replaced sections will also be tarmac. In certain locations it will be necessary to provide a concrete surface, but in general, Clare County Council will be replacing like-for-like.” 

“The Active Travel fund is also enabling Clare County Council to provide a section of new footpath along the R462 from the junction of the Doonane Road towards the town centre, to address an area where no footpath currently exists.

Separately, the Active Travel fund has awarded Clare County Council a grant to provide a new footpath from the town as far as Tulla Athletics Club, which will greatly improve the safety for pedestrians accessing these facilities.

The beginning of this new footpath will tie-in with the upgraded footpath along that road.” A contract has been awarded for the upcoming footpath improvement works project and it is expected that these works will commence in early February.”