Councillor calls for road safety audit in West Cork community

A road safety audit is needed in Newtown East, Bantry, according to local Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins, who said a large number of households in the area cannot access the town via a footpath.

Mr Collins raised the issue in a motion proposed at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District which read: “I am calling on Cork County Council to do a road safety audit on the road in Newtown East leading to the Mealagh Valley, with the view of laying a footpath to cover the housing estates on this road.”

Mr Collins said the footpath currently extended as far as the Pairc Na Carraige estate, but did not continue on to the Cúl Na Gréine estate. He said he was aware planning had been sought for more housing in the area and the road was becoming busier and busier with traffic.

Mr Collins said there was a significant safety issue for pedestrians as a result and he had a letter signed by 130 concerned residents all calling for a footpath. 

Mr Collins said if a road safety audit was carried out, he was hopeful it would demonstrate a new footpath was justified.

Responding for the council engineer, Mark O’Sullivan said: “Currently on the Newtown East Road leading to the Mealagh Valley, there are some sections of footpaths in the vicinity of existing housing estates. The provision of a footpath within the existing 50km/h speed limit would require land acquisition and it is expected a part 8 Planning would also be required.”

He added: “It is expected the cost of carrying out the works necessary to facilitate a footpath would be significant. At present, there is no clear line of sight on a funding source for these works.

“However, it’s possible that in time it may be possible to source some funding from the National Transport Authority for the provision of a footpath. A survey of the area will be undertaken to identify the extent of works necessary and estimate cost.”

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.