Wexford County Council says a lack of funding and space means the footpath cannot currently be completed, but hopes it can be secured through planning
A footpath which abruptly ends in Riverchapel, Co. Wexford is set to remain unfinished for the foreseeable as a funding shortfall has left Wexford County Council unable to complete the footpath.
This comes after local man, Pat Byrne previously raised concerns over an unfinished footpath along the R741 in Riverchapel, after he saw an incident which left a visually impaired individual stranded at the end of the footpath.
Following a query and calls for the footpath to be completed as well as installing a pedestrian crossing for safe crossing, Wexford County Council has confirmed that they currently do not have sufficient funding to facilitate the completion of the footpath.
“This is unbelievable when you see what’s happening in the Gorey area with footpaths,” Pat said.
Calls to complete the footpath along the stretch of road came after the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with impaired vision or mobility was highlighted following an ordeal which left a man stranded and unable to cross the road safely.
In August, Mark Clifford was visiting Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Riverchapel from Scotland when he was using the footpath along the R741 with a white cane.
However, as he continued walking, the footpath abruptly ended, leaving him without a safe way to navigate across the road to the other footpath currently in place.
In a statement from Wexford County Council, a representative from Gorey-Kilmuckridge Municipal District confirmed that no funding is currently available to support implementing traffic safety measures.
“As it stands, there is no funding available for footpaths and there is not sufficient space at this location due to boundaries to allow for a footpath that would meet the required width of two metres.
“However it is envisaged that a footpath will be secured for this section through planning,” a representative added.
Calls have been made for a footpath connecting the village of Riverchapel, Co Wexford to its local church, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, as well as a pedestrian crossing to enhance the safety of pedestrians.
At present, pedestrians leaving the church who wish to walk towards the village along the R741 must cross the road to use the footpath on the other side of the road. There are no accessible measures in place to support people with impaired vision or mobility crossing the road safely.