‘Absolutely atrocious’ footpaths in Ballyhaunis prompt calls for walkability audit in Mayo towns and villages

The state of some footpaths in Ballyhuanis has promoted calls for a ‘walkability audit’ to be conducted in every Mayo town and village. 

Local representative Cllr Alma Gallagher cited the state of the footpaths in her town, which she said were in an ‘absolutely atrocious’ condition and were posing a trip hazard. 

Cllr Gallagher said the issue was being compounded by illegal parking on Clare Street in the town. 

She said the condition of the footpaths has made it ‘increasingly challenging for staff and service users of Western Care and our older population’ by forcing them to venture onto the N60. 

“The basic right to safely navigate one’s community should not be hindered by poor infrastructure,” she stated. 

Cllr Gallagher’s proposal for a walkability audit of every Mayo town and village was seconded by her fellow Fine Gael councillor, Michael Burke, at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. 

Cllr Gallagher praised the completion of a walkability audit last October in Knock, expressing satisfaction at the initial steps taken towards improving local infrastructure. 

“Now we need to see these audits rolled out and implemented,” she added.

Mayo County Council has made representations to Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding the footpaths in the town. 

Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, said the council were trying to progress funding applications to repair the footpaths in the town. 

He said that the council had appointed a second warden who was making ‘significant inroads’ in two Mayo towns in relation to the maintenance of footpaths.

Mr Harley added that walkability audits, such as the one conducted in Knock, were ‘certainly a worthwhile exercise’.