Council needs to take the lead on disability issues

LOUTH County Council needs to take the lead and make Drogheda a disability friendly district, it has been claimed.

A call has been made for Drogheda Borough Municipal Distrcit to promote a campaign to make the public and the business community aware of the dangers caused by obstacles, such as cars parked on foothpaths, bicycles chained to railings and other thoughtlessly placed items that impede the use of footpaths for wheelchair users or people suffering from visual impairment.

The issue was raised in a notice of motion by Mayor of Drogheda Pio Smith who asked that the council consider the rollout of a Dublin City Council ‘ My Way’ campaign and to consult with all major stakeholders, including the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Council of the Blind regarding the possibility of holding an annual ‘May Way Day’ in Drogheda.

In response, the council said it will look at the Dublin model with Dublin City officials and will report back to the council on this.

Speaking about the issue at the Jnauary meeting of the council, Councillor Smith said: ‘ When you see someone in a wheelchair having to cross the road and go up alongside the cars it’s an accident waiting to happen.’

Councillor Paul Bell seconded the motion and said he welcomed the plan.

Also supporting the motion, Councillor Tommy Byrne said his ambition would be that Drogheda would be the wheelchair friendly capital of Ireland. ‘Well done Mayor, keep up the good work,’ he said.

Councillor Richie Culhane said he believes education is key when it comes to this issue.

‘A lot of people don’t think of wheelchair users or partially sighted people when they create an obstacle,’ he said. ‘It’s difficult enough to negotiate a busy footpath or street without having to encounter these issues.’

Councillor Oliver Tully also welcomed the motion and said cars are the biggest culprits, in many instances completely blocking the footpaths.