Pedestrian crossing for Castle Street sought

The need for a pedestrian crossing on Castle Street to accommodate pedestrians going between Bishopsgate Street and Friars Mill Road has been raised with the executive of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad by Cllr Mick Dollard.

The official written response from the executive team stated that the installation of a pedestrian crossing at Castle Street can be considered as part of the 2025 estimates.

Cllr Dollard said his request was prompted by two older resident, who said that between the two pubs on opposite sides of the road, which are separated by a roundabout, it is difficult for pedestrians to get across.

He wondered if it would not be possible to use Active Travel funding to provide a crossing.

Responding, district engineer Pat Kavanagh said that when Active Travel design work was being carried out for Castle Street and for Harbour Street, that was one of the issues he had asked that the planners focus on, and he had suggested some ideas, some of which have been incorporated into the design plan.

Welcoming that, Cllr Dollard pointed out that many might not be aware that a lot of residents coming into town from the Dalton Park, Springfield and Friars Mill Road areas of town would walk up by Dunnes Stores and on towards the cathedral.

“And it’s a difficult place now with traffic: you have traffic coming from three or four different directions,” he said.

Ivy

At the same meeting (in December), Cllr Dollard asked for the removal of ivy from various local public spaces in the town and was informed that the district carries out tree and hedge maintenance on an annual basis and the removal of ivy is included as part of that maintenance.

Bus shelter at Petitswood

To a request from Cllr Dollard that the district liaise with Transport for Ireland (TFI) with a view to having a bus shelter provided on the old N4 opposite Petitswood Manor, the response was that the district can issue a letter to TFI if the members are in agreement.

Footpaths at Bellview

Cllr Dollard also asked that the district provide funding in the 2025 estimates to continue footpath improvements in both Bellview Heights and Ginnell Terrace.

“The Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad will consider funding in the 2025 estimates for footpath works at Bellview Heights,” was the assurance given.