*Photograph: Natasha Barton
WORKS ARE ONGOING for the remaining section of footpath improvements in Tulla.
Active Travel funding was received by the Killaloe Municipal District in 2021 “to improve strategic pedestrian routes, access to schools and permeability links throughout Tulla,” acting senior executive engineer Derek Troy outlined.
Footpath works have been completed on the Gort Rd to link with the new social housing scheme and on the Courthouse Rd including the newly extended footpath and public lighting to the Athletics Club.
Troy outlined that remaining sections of improvements on the Main St and Chapel St would commence this month. Approval is needed before the two proposed pedestrian crossings adjacent to St Mochulla’s National School can begin. Neither of these aspects have yet to begin.
He explained, “the works proposed at the junction of Chapel Street and Main Street requires significant design and planning in order to meet the NTA requirements but it is expected that these works will begin in March 2023”.
Separate works not funded by the Active Travel programme are the replacement and upgrade of the footpaths at Lower O’Reilly Park. They are scheduled to commence in the coming weeks with funding from the General Municipal Allocation contribution of councillors and from IPB Public Liability Works.
Updates had been sought by Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF). “I welcome the footpath works done in Tulla over last 12 months, it is a major improvement, massive work has been done there, we are all well aware of the new footpaths that have gone in. A good share of upgrading works have been done around the town of Tulla, we are all well aware more needs to be done,” Cllr Cooney stated.
Cooney acknowledged the junction by Chapel St and Main St “is very bad at the moment” with waterworks delayed “until a proper design is done for the junction”. He was hopeful works would start in early 2023.
Locally there was “concerns when the work wasn’t happening that the money would be used elsewhere,” Cllr O’Callaghan admitted. “It’s ready to go, it just needs a blueprint drawn up. When you have IPB giving funding and involved it is good. There will be a lot of good work done in the next couple of months,” the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD predicted.
A “huge difference” is already visible, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) maintained. “I’m glad there is a redesign, the original design wouldn’t have met the criteria in my view, it will never be that easy to resolve fully but it will enhance it a lot if works are proposed around it. The important element is we’re progressing”.
