Extension of Local Link service sought

Aughnaskerry, Harmony Heights, and Tullacmongan are all areas that would benefit hugely from an extension of the Local Link service in and around the county town.

The plight of people living in these areas was raised at a recent meeting of Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District in Blacklion's Market House by chair and Fianna Fáil Cllr Patricia Walsh.

“There are a lot of hills,” described Cllr Walsh, adding that an additional or rerouted service could also benefit the two local schools - St Clare's and the Gaelscoil - as well as the Cavan Leisure Complex.

Her motion was supported by party colleague, Áine Smith, and Fine Gael's Niamh Brady.

“Simple”, is how Director of Services Brendan Jennings saw the recommendation to a recognised problem, and said the council will “ask” if the route can be added to or redirected at certain times of the day.

In Ballyconnell, meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Damien Brady asked that the council look into having bus shelters installed on local authority-owned land at Daisy Hill to accommodate children waiting for transport to take them to schools in the morning.

He said there are six housing estates in the immediate vicinity with a lot of families living in the area, and that those waiting for buses were currently left “exposed to the elements”.

The motion was supported by Fianna Fáil's Áine Smith who, as a teacher passing, has seen the issue facing children waiting.

The need for bus shelters in other areas was flagged too, like in Belturbet and also Blacklion, with John Paul Feeley (FF) raising the latter.