Council had to rescue campers who ‘got stuck’ at Ladestown

Council staff had to be called to the rescue recently when a caravan and trailer got stuck at the barrier at Ladestown, where camping is banned, and were unable to turn, members of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad learned from Cllr Julie McCourt at their September meeting.

Cllr McCourt requested that the district remove the barrier at Ladestown since, she said, while no camping signs are in place, there was none warning of the barrier height restrictions. Cllr McCourt was also concerned that emergency vehicles would be unable to access the shoreline in case of an accident.

The written reply supplied by the Municipal District stated that additional height restrictions signage can be installed at that location.

“Westmeath County Council have not been contacted by any of the emergency services regarding height restriction barriers,” the reply concluded.