Courtown footbridge suggested at council

A FOOTBRIDGE at Ballinatray Bridge in Courtown might be on the cards after Cllr Malcolm Byrne proposed the idea as a Key Capital Project for 2018 at last week’s Gorey Municipal District meeting.

‘We should look at completing the footpath from Gorey to Courtown,’ said Cllr Byrne. ‘And put in a footbridge at Ballinatray. It would be a nice walking track to Courtown from the town.’

Eddie Taaffe, district director, said it is a good idea but getting the funding together for it would be the main problem. ‘The allocation of money might not suit the project,’ said district manager Amanda Byrne.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhaín said he fully supports the proposal for a footpath and a footbridge in Courtown.

‘I think the footbridge would be a great tourist attraction itself,’ said Cllr Byrne. ‘The bridge there is nice and no one really gets to see the view off it.’

Cllr John Hegarty said it is a good idea, ‘but if drawings are going to cost about €60,000 then are we not just wasting our money?’

‘I think we should push the footbridge and footpath for our project in 2018,’ said Cllr Byrne.

Meanwhile, Cllr Mary Farrell agreed with the plan for Courtown, but also suggested another idea for the Key Capital Project Spend for next year.

‘Maybe we could look at putting in a footpath from Kilmuckridge to Morriscastle beach,’ said Cllr Farrell. ‘It is dangerous for people walking there and it is one of the biggest tourist attractions next to Courtown.’