Jones calls for further investment in Fore, Castlepollard and Delvin amenities

Further investment in walking trails and town enhancements across north Westmeath was urged at the May meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Cllr David Jones sought an update on works taking place at the Nancy to Nellie Walk in Fore, with the district office confirming that access improvements are currently underway and are expected to be completed by mid-May.

Welcoming the progress, Cllr Jones described the walkway as “a beautiful asset” and said he was looking forward to using it during the summer.

“That’s great work happening out there for Nancy to Nellie,” he said.

He also suggested that surfacing works could be considered in the future to further improve the amenity, while acknowledging that such works could not happen immediately.

The councillor praised former councillor Frank McDermott for his role in progressing the project.

Bog trail

Cllr Jones also called on the council to seek CLÁR or ORIS funding for the old bog trail on the Finea road outside Castlepollard.

In response, the district office said the project would be considered among future applications for outdoor recreation funding.

Cllr Jones said the proposal could potentially be combined with other local works into a single application.

“Maybe the whole lot could be included in the one application,” he said.

Delvin bins

The meeting also heard calls for new heritage-style bins to be provided in Delvin to assist the town in future Tidy Towns competitions.

Council officials said upgrades to bins in Delvin could be considered as part of future roads estimates, but noted that bins across the district are currently standardised in terms of size and design to ensure easier maintenance, collection and cost efficiency.

Cllr Jones said he would like to see Delvin eventually recognised as a heritage town because of its historical significance and suggested heritage-style bins could form part of a future Town and Village Renewal application.

“I would like to see Delvin eventually get heritage status as a heritage town, given its rich history,” he said.

Rathwire

At the same meeting, concerns were also raised by Cllr Jones about access and signage in the Killucan/Rathwire and Turin areas.

Cllr Jones called on the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad to restore the so-called “double ditch” pathway between Killucan and Rathwire and make it passable again for local users.

The councillor said the route, located near the footpath from the Kinnegad Road towards Killucan close to the GAA grounds, had become increasingly difficult to use because of encroaching hedges and vegetation, and local residents had been contacting him about the issue.

He described it as a valuable local access point linking parts of the community and suggested the pathway could become an attractive walking feature if properly maintained.

In response, the district office said it will first establish ownership of the pathway before assessing what remedial works may be required.

District engineer Pat Kavanagh said he was familiar with the pathway and believed it may historically have been used as a Mass path.

He confirmed the district office would investigate the ownership situation and examine the condition of the route.

Turin church

Meanwhile, Cllr Jones also sought improved signage for Turin Church on the N52.

The district office said it will liaise with the National Roads Office project team responsible for signage on national routes regarding the request.