Putting an end to driving on the path in Irishtown

UNDER NEW council plans, driving on the footpath in Irishtown is to become a motoring luxury of the past.

Cllr Michael Sheehan called for further council investment in the footpath from the crossroads where Paddy Powers bookmakers is located to where new brick paving and granite kerb works have already been carried out at Centra.

Overhead power lines have been undergrounded and low energy decorative street lights are being erected, with the removal of lamps and improvements to the traffic lights controller already completed.

Cllr Willie Fitzharris said: ‘ There was a problem there with people using the footpath which is wide.’

He said people have been known to drive their car on the footpath on the opposite side of the road from the council depot entrance to the take away.

He also called for restrictions on the length of time people can park outside businesses trying to operate in Irishtown.

‘ There is loads of parking in Irishtown and yet people are parking outside the door of businesses along 50 yards on both sides of the road, preventing people from parking and coming and going into businesses.’

Cllr Sheehan said several businesses have issues with access, adding that if bollards are placed outside their front doors it could damage their custom.

Senior executive engineer Abraham Dunne said: ‘New kerbs are going in which should greatly discourage people from going on the footpath and driving in Irishtown.’

He said a lack of funding has limited the amount of path that can be resurfaced in Irishtown.