New walking route proposed for Gorey town

GOREY Municipal District is proposing to develop a network of river walks in Gorey. The 1.2 km route would see the upgrading of back lanes, and provide safe off-road alternatives for walkers, district manager Amanda Byrne told the monthly meeting last week.

She said it would serve as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, as more people would positively engage with the spaces. ‘ They are already established but they have fallen into disrepair,’ she said, adding that the upgrade would include low level lighting, interesting features, and CCTV at certain locations.’

Cllr Malcolm Byrne supported the idea in principle but said the residents should be consulted, as the lanes are used by criminals who hop over back walls and break into houses.

‘We want it to be done right and we want to work with the residents,’ said Ms Byrne. ‘If it was more attractive, people would then use it and provide positive policing.’

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin felt it was a brilliant way of making the town greener and cleaning up the waterways, but his one concern was that residents on one section want their lane cleaned up but a gate put on either end. ‘It only works if it’s a walkway,’ said Amanda.

‘ These lanes exist anyway,’ added Cllr John Hegarty. ‘You are encouraging families and social walkers to take ownership of this. It will have a theme and a design and it will benefit people who live there. If we do nothing with this, it will still encourage crime.’

Cllr Robbie Ireton welcomed it, saying, ‘if you were to go on what people were projected to do, you’d achieve nothing.’