NEW housing estates in Bantry are desperately in need of a  footpath for safety and accessibility reasons.

The issue was raised as a notice of motion by Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) at a recent meeting of the West Cork Municipal District.

The councillor asked if Cork County Council’s transport department would carry out a road safety audit on the roadway at Newtown East, leading to the Mealagh Valley, and provide the residents with a new footpath.

Cllr Collins pointed out that two new housing developments have been successfully completed in that area and a third is at the planning stage. Despite this, he said, the footpath along the main road ‘comes to a sudden stop.’

The Independent Ireland councillor produced a petition, signed by 130 residents, who have genuine concerns about the increased level of traffic, and the speed of it, and highlighted their need for a proper footpath.

‘Traffic has increased massively on this route,’ said Cllr Collins, ‘and there are a lot of people living out in the Mealagh Valley, so we need an audit to support their demand for a new footpath.’

Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG) seconded the motion, but the response from Mark O’Sullivan, a senior engineer with the council’s roads, transportation and area services, suggested that a new footpath would be unlikely in the short-term because the works would require land acquisition.

The engineer said: ‘The Newtown East Road leading to the Mealagh Valley has some sections of footpaths in the vicinity of existing housing estates.  But the provision of a footpath within the existing 50 kmph speed limit would require land acquisition, and it is expected that a Part 8 Planning would also be required.’

The engineer said it is expected that the cost of carrying out the works would be significant and there is, at present, ‘no clear line of sight on a funding source for these works.’

In the future, the engineer said it might be possible to source some funding from the National Transport Authority for the footpath. In the meantime, a survey of the area will be undertaken to identify the extent of works necessary and estimate the cost.

Cllr Collins said the response did not sound at all favourable, but he vowed to ‘keep pushing for it’ because residents, particularly those with young children, need it if they are to be safe on the roadway.