Mayor gets good news on footpath and steps work at Gibraltar

SLIGO Mayor Cllr Declan Bree’s unrelenting push to have footpath construction and reinstatement along with the provision of access steps at the hugely popular Gibraltar location used by thousands of people took a major step forward this week.

Asking for an update on the project, Cllr Bree was told by Council officials at a meeting of the Borough of Sligo District that subject to the availability of a contractor and funding, the works would start in the final quarter (October to December) of this year.

Cllr Bree was told: “Following completion of the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report earlier this year, the design drawings and tender documents were prepared. These documents were finalised in early September. It is anticipated that a contractor will be selected for the works by the middle of October 2023.

“Sufficient funding will have to be confirmed and available before any contract is awarded.

“Subject to said funding and contractor availability, it is expected that the footpaths and access enhancements will commence in Q4 2023.”

Responding, Cllr Bree said the report from Thomas Kerins, area engineer was “very positive” adding: “I believe we owe a debt of gratitude to the Council’s engineering staff for progressing this project, particularly to Mr Kerins and to Mr Brian Flynn, who have worked beyond the call of duty to bring it to this stage.” He added: “Hopefully the tender process will be successful, and we will see a suitable contractor employed to carry out this first phase of the refurbishment works in the current year.”

He said Gibraltar is a significant recreation area and as it is located so close to the town that he believed it will be fully utilised when it is made safe for public access.