PRIORITY “needs to be given to completing missing footpath links within Barefield”.
An application is to be made to the Department of Transport by the Ennis Municipal District to try fund a 70m footpath link on the Ruan Rd from Considine’s Bar.
In a motion before the Ennis MD, Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) asked for an extension of the footpath from Barefield to Cragaweel Cross. She proposed “that a new a footpath be installed, to extend the existing footpath a further 450/500m approx. for the safe passage of pedestrians to and from Barefield village, on the road between Barefield and the Ruan Road, in the area of Cragaweel Cross”.
She explained, “This is a busy road with many houses, used by many residents walking to and from Barefield village, including those walking their children to the school. I proposed that the existing footpath be extended for a further 450/500m approx. to accommodate the residents living further from the village, ensuring them a safe route to/from Barefield village”. The motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG).
Paddy Tiernan, acting senior executive engineer in the Ennis MD outlined, “Ennis MD have examined the proposals as laid out within this Notice of Motion”. He added, “we are of the opinion that priority needs to be given to completing missing footpaths links within Barefield Village above schemes within rural areas. This would provide more benefit to the public”.
Tiernan maintained that the 70m footpath link behind Considine’s Bar out the Ruan Rd “should be prioritised”. He added, “As such, it is our intention to apply to the Department of Transport for funding for this project via the Safety Improvement Scheme. Subject to a successful funding application, Section 38 approval and landowner agreement this scheme will be delivered within 2025. The provision of the footpath further out the Ruan Road can be considered in further detail once the village connection is complete”.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Baker Bashua pointed out that a grouping of houses “up from Considine’s Pub” could be approached in the future. “The village goes out to the outskirts, for their safety you can see there is ground for putting in a footpath so you won’t be cutting down the road, if you could revisit it I’d be delighted”.
