Councillors unite behind proposal to make Green Bridge path safer

A suggestion that a barrier be erected along the path under the Green Bridge received strong cross-party backing when raised by Cllr Andrew Duncan at the June meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Cllr Duncan tabled a motion calling on the council to make the path safe for cyclists and pedestrians underneath the Green Bridge, to which the written reply from the executive stated that the district would liaise with Waterways Ireland to examine that location.

Cllr Duncan said that after being alerted to how dangerous that particular spot is, he went to view it: “If you fall in there, you're in a bit of a bother if you can't swim because there's no getting out,” he said, adding that a number of students use that route while cycling to school.

District engineer Pat Kavanagh said this was an item the council had discussed some years previously with Waterways Ireland, but it could be raised with them again.

Cllrs Ken Glynn and Bill Collentine agreed with Cllr Duncan: “There's no debate, it has to happen,” Cllr Glynn said, while Cllr Collentine said there was also a need to have lights installed at that same location.

Mayor Mick Dollard lent his support also saying it was a very dangerous location. He believed the executive should write to Waterways Ireland telling them that it was a major safety concern for the people of Mullingar.