Further calls for public lighting
NUMBER OF RECENT FALLS BY THE BLACK CASTLE
WICKLOW Municipal District don’t have any funds left in their budget for 2017 to install public lighting at steps near the Black Castle leading down to Wicklow sailing Club.
Cllr Mary Kavanagh has raised the matter on a number of occasions over recent months, pointing out that at least two elderly people have fallen on the steps while trying to attend bridge competitions held in the sailing club.
At last Monday’s meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, she also raised an article she read in the Wicklow People about a visually impaired athlete facing difficulties when trying to train in Wicklow town.
‘Some of the athletes with Inbear Dee Athletics Club train around the Black Castle and the Wicklow People had a story on the difficulties a visually impaired athlete has. The steps have no lines on them and there is a real lack of lighting in the area.
‘We have already had two elderly people falling on the steps. Now a young athlete can’t use the steps because they are visually impaired. We had another bad fall around two years ago.
‘Are there any funds we could access to help people with disabilities? It’s an area also used by a lot of elderly people. Can we not find some source of funding to get a light there?’ said Cllr Kavanagh.
Wicklow Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr Shay Cullen, replied that the District no longer had any discretionary funding left for the year.
‘We have no other funding available for the year but Wicklow County Council’s budget meeting is on Monday. The elected members can put forward what they require and lighting by the steps could be put on the list for 2o18.’
Cllr Gail Dunne felt the issue should be placed as a priority project for the District’s discretionary funding for 2018.
‘There are also some steps a but further up that requires work. They need railings and a few steps have fallen away. It presents a hazard,’ noted Cllr Dunne.