‘Crumbling’ footpaths will cause ‘serious injuries’ unless Wexford council carries out immediate repairs
Wexford PeopleCrumbling footpaths with “uneven surfaces” will cause “serious injuries” to residents unless Wexford County Council (WCC) carries out immediate repairs according to one local councillor. Having repeatedly raised the issue at monthly council meetings, Wexford Borough councillor Robbie Staples is now calling on WCC to take “decisive action” on this long-standing issue.
Citing footpaths in three housing estates in particular (Rectory Hall, Lus Mor and Coill Aoibhann) Cllr Staples said the condition of the walkways in these areas was a “long-standing and potentially dangerous issue.”
“Residents and elected officials have continuously voiced frustration at the lack of progress on these works, with some describing the footpaths as hazardous and neglected,” said the Fine Gael councillor. “Uneven surfaces, crumbling edges, and obstructed walkways have become a familiar sight in housing estates and there are fears that it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.”
At a recent meeting, WCC confirmed that a budget of €20,000 has been allocated for servicing footpaths within the Borough district. However, Cllr Staples questioned whether this sum is sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem.
“This issue has been dragging on for years,” he said. “We cannot wait until someone gets hurt before we act. The current budget is a start, but it’s nowhere near enough to address the widespread damages. I’m calling for additional funding to be made available so that we can make our streets safer for everyone—especially older residents and those with mobility challenges.”