Lack of footpaths in West Cork tourist village a danger to pedestrians, says councillor

Another councillor said there was also a derelict building along the same stretch of road that was 'hanging over the road' and should be demolished immediately

The meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District heard that the issue was particularly serious during the busy tourist season but was a safety issue for residents all year round.

The lack of footpaths on the approach to the busy tourist village of Baltimore in West Cork is posing a serious safety threat to pedestrians, according to local Fine Gael councillor Brendan McCarthy.

In a motion proposed at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District Cllr McCarthy asked: “That the council will investigate the provision of a footpath on the entrance to Baltimore village on the R595 from Skibbereen as the road here is, and has always been extremely dangerous for pedestrians walking into and out of the village from their homes.

"There are some dangerous bends and pedestrians are walking on the busy road where traffic is travelling at considerable speeds.” 

Mr McCarthy said the issue was particularly serious during the busy tourist season but was a safety issue for residents all year round.

Seconding the motion, Fianna Fáil's Joe Carroll said there was also a derelict building along the same stretch of road that was “hanging over the road” and should be demolished immediately. Mr Carroll said the road entering “one of the most popular tourist villages in Ireland,” should be safe to walk along.

Isobel Towse of the Social Democrats said she had raised the issue with council engineers. She said the road was very dangerous for pedestrians and anyone with small children or pushing a buggy would not even attempt to walk along it. 

Daniel Sexton of Independent Ireland said the current situation was “a disgrace”. 

Responding for Cork County Council, area engineer John Ahern said: “This area lies within the 50km per hour speed limit. Some survey work has been completed on this stretch of road for the purposes of undertaking a design for the provision of a footpath. Presently this proposal is unfunded.

“On a priority basis, local authority resources are focused on ensuring the completion of funded projects to comply with funding deadlines. An opportunity should arise in the coming months where this proposal can be advanced further. 

"It is likely that the provision of a footpath will involve interference with private properties. Once a design has been completed funding options will be explored.” 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.