Safe route to new native woodland at Delvin sought

A footpath linking Delvin GAA grounds to a new Irish native woodland is being sought on safety grounds, with Cllr David Jones warning that children cycling and walking to the grounds face dangers along a busy stretch of road.

At the October meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, Cllr Jones called for the existing footpath to be extended all the way to the woodland, highlighting the increased activity at the GAA grounds.

He said the existing footpath was narrow, with briars growing out from adjoining fields, and ended around 200 to 300 metres short of the grounds.

With children travelling to matches and activities, he said the situation was particularly concerning during the darker evenings.

Cllr Jones suggested that Transport Infrastructure Ireland should consider working with landowners to provide a footpath behind the roadside wall. However, he acknowledged that TII had not been willing to fund the work in the past and said the council needed to look at securing funding.

In response, the District Office said it would examine the possibility of identifying a suitable funding mechanism for the footpath.

DRUMCREE PATH COMPLETED

At the same meeting, Cllr Jones received confirmation that footpath works in Drumcree had been completed.

He said the remaining section involved the last three houses and noted that residents had paid development contributions.

He said Drumcree should also benefit from those contributions, adding that the residents were seeking an extension of the footpath rather than additional lighting.

The council’s Transportation Section said additional public lights would be installed once the ESB overhead network had been placed underground.