MORE steps and a handrail below the sailing club are needed to safeguard swimmers in Schull, according to members of the West Cork Municipal District, writes Jackie Keogh.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) raised the issue saying: ‘Lots of people swim there daily… and it’s also used by people with disabilities.’

He said there are some steps and a handrail, but they ‘fall well short of the water’s edge. If the tide is out, they have a way to walk and there is a fear that they could slip,’ said Cllr Collins, who said a similar project at Snave in Bantry and it proved to be a great success.

Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG) supported the motion saying: ‘The dog hole at the end is popular with swimmers and the old platform, which was eroded, could be replaced with a concrete base.

‘At a certain age, access can be a barrier,’ said Cllr George Gill (FF). ‘Small projects, like this, can have the biggest impact on people’s lives,’ said Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind).

As the lands are under the remit of the Cork Education and Training Board Cllr Collins proposed writing to ask them to make it safer for swimmers.