Feeley raises issues with footpaths in Blacklion
Although they add to the overall aesthetic of a picturesque border village, the flagstone footpaths of Blacklion village are causing problems, according to one local councillor.
The paving is proving a “trip hazard” in some places, Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley said at a recent meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District, which took place at The Market House.
“It’s an ongoing problem,” he informed his fellow elected members and the council executive, adding that some of the same paving was also used in neighbouring Dowra and Bawnboy.
Cllr Feeley stated that, while the path outside the celebrated MacNean Bistro in Blacklion run by local chef Nevin Maguire was “maintained”, this was only because the business did so itself.
“There are a lot [of pavings] broken, there is grass growing up, the grouting is missing, it’s a huge trip hazard.”
Some repairs were carried out in the past year, but more is needed.
Cllr Feeley stated that it’s important Blacklion is kept well because of the high volume of visitors to the area, through MacNean Bistro and the wider UNESCO recognised Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark.
“It’s going to take a take a team of staff or contractors to come in every couple of months to fix,” he suggested.
Road projects
The condition of Blacklion’s footpaths followed what was a positive assessment of road work projects across the western portion of the county.
Senior Area Engineer Paul Mulligan gave councillors a full update on current schemes, the vast majority of which have been completed.
He was effusive in his praise with the standard of the work, remarking several times what a “great job” the council’s own workers or contractors had done. Some “jobs” were trickier than others, he conceded.
Surfacing has been completed on the R-935 former national road (N55), and works are continuing on the L-55021 Clontycoo Lane, a project delivered via the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS).
One Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) at Dunmakeever saw road conditions so bad that council staff had no option but “go back to basics”- grading what was there before laying surface dressing. “It was very difficult to even get access,” said Mr Mulligan.
The Climate Change Adaption Grant was used to carry out works on the L-5042 Drumane (Bofelan). These are “ongoing” with more work due in the New Year.
“Not all schemes can be done this year,” admitted Mr Mulligan, where resources are required elsewhere to maintain other sections of the road network throughout the county.
Other updates included Town and Village funding used to install lighting at Annagh Park in Ballyconnell; safety improvement works on the R198 Drumbar that are “substantially complete”; remedial drainage works on the N87 at Brackley; and drainage requirements on the L-6036 and L-6036-1 Killynebber.
There have been full road reconstructions, meanwhile, on the L-2541 Swellan Court/ Drumnavanagh; the L-6626 St Patrick’s Terrace; the L-2539 Glenside Road (to the Cavan Rugby Club junction); on the L-2034 at Drumalee and the L-1532 Drumgola-Coolboyoge (Loreto Road to N3).
Similar levels of work have taken place on the L-5515 Raheelan-Greatill (Belturbet); the L-5045 at Killymoriarty; the L-1037 Kilsob towards Templeport; the L-1009 at Tullnafreave; and at L-5542 Drumcrow, Butlersbridge.
Road reconstructions on Dowra’s Main Street (R-207-2) and the Cootehill Road (R 188-2) heading out of Cavan Town, are “99 per cent” complete, Mr Mulligan told the meeting.
Speed limit review
He revealed that the council is currently in the process of installing the initial signage required ahead of the implementation of speed limits on national secondary roads being cut from 100km/h to 80km/h, from 80km/h to 60km/h on rural or local roads, and from 50km/h to 30km/h on roads in built-up or urban areas.
Mr Mulligan was asked also about additional road markings to compliment the work done in Dowra by Cllr Feeley, and about the release of money for works on Turbet Island in Belturbet by Independent Brendan Fay.
He told Cllr Feeley, with respect to the footpaths in Blacklion, the council would examine the situation once staff are freed up from other maintenance work.