Lack of footpaths in tourist village in West Cork ‘a danger’

The lack of footpaths on the approach to the busy tourist village of Baltimore, in West Cork, is a threat to pedestrians, says local Fine Gael councillor Brendan McCarthy.

In a motion proposed at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork municipal district, Mr McCarthy asked: “That the council investigate the provision of a footpath on the entrance to Baltimore village, on the R595 from Skibbereen, as the road here is, and has always been, extremely dangerous for pedestrians walking into and out of the village from their homes.

“There are some dangerous bends, and pedestrians are walking on the busy road, where traffic is travelling at considerable speeds.”

Mr McCarthy said the issue was particularly serious during the tourist season, but was a danger all year round.

Seconding the motion, Fianna Fáil’s Joe Carroll said there was also a derelict building that was “hanging over the road” and should be demolished.

Isobel Towse, of the Social Democrats, said she had raised the issue with council engineers. She said the road was dangerous for pedestrians and that anyone with small children or pushing a buggy should not even attempt to walk along it.

Responding for Cork County Council, area engineer John Ahern said: “This area lies within the 50km/h speed limit.

“Some survey work has been completed on this stretch of road for the purposes of undertaking a design for the provision of a footpath. Presently, this proposal is unfunded.

“On a priority basis, local authority resources are focused on ensuring the completion of funded projects to comply with funding deadlines. An opportunity should arise in the coming months, where this proposal can be advanced further. It is likely that the provision of a footpath will involve interference with private properties.

“Once a design has been completed, funding options will be explored.”

• Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.