Concerns of wheelchair users in Mayo town raised at meeting

People with mobility difficulties and wheelchair users face certain challenges in Ballinrobe town, such as some broken and uneven footpaths, a lack of disabled car parking spaces and the need for additional pedestrian crossings. A public meeting on the matter took place in the Crann Mór Centre, Ballinrobe.

Last October, a survey conducted by Ballinrobe Community School Transition Year students, under the guidance of Mr. Shane Conlon, highlighted the need for improved accessibility for people with mobility difficulties in Ballinrobe.

The survey was initiated by Delia Costello and run in conjunction with the Western Care Association (Crann Mór Centre), Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association, and several local wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Delia Costello is a person with a disability and is an advocate for accessibility in the community.

When the accessibility survey was completed, copies were issued to all relevant local stakeholders, including councillors, council engineers, and local political representatives. A subsequent meeting on the matter took place in Claremorris last November. However, it was revealed at the meeting in the Crann Mór Centre that some members of the Ballinrobe advocacy group only received a few days’ notice prior to the meeting in Claremorris taking place.

The public meeting Ballinrobe was hosted by Sinéad Stagg and those with mobility issues told of their struggles trying to safely negotiate their way through certain parts of the town. Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, no councillor or TD was in attendance to listen to the concerns of those present.

Thankfully, there was a representative from the Ballinrobe Community Development Council in attendance, and they are now actively engaging with the town engineer with regards to the works that need to be done.

Among the concerns that wheelchair and mobility scooter users mentioned were obstacles on footpaths such as wheelie bins and building work signage/cones, and some narrow footpaths. One mobility scooter user mentioned an area of footpath on Church Lane which has a double ledge and a gutter hole and is very difficult to use.

The bridge beside The Railway Hotel on the Kilmaine Road was also raised as an urgent matter of concern, as one attendee at the meeting said it was too narrow on that busy spot. These difficulties can also affect the elderly and parents with pushchairs.

There are also issues with the dropped kerbs (‘lips’) on footpaths in certain parts of the town, where it is very difficult for a wheelchair/mobility scooter to safely gain access to the footpath.

Another issue highlighted was the lack of signage for motorists as they approach the pedestrian crossing situated on The Neale Road, beside the Ballinrobe Youthreach building and which also serves the Crann Mór Centre.

A member of the Ballinrobe Active Retirement Group - which currently has 150 members - said that elderly people face challenges walking on some of the broken and uneven footpaths in the town.

At the end of the meeting, it was envisaged that a steering group be set up which may also comprise of a member from Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association, and perhaps also someone from Ballinrobe Community Development Council.

In the meantime, there has been some positive news on the matter, and Ballinrobe Community Development chairperson Frank Keane said that a meeting had taken place recently with the town engineer – who is eager to address the issues. A lot of the works are remedial and can be completed in a relatively short space of time.

Mayo County Council also has plans for targeted area improvements which include regular, ongoing maintenance and upgrades for footpaths on the Creagh Road, New Line, Convent Road, and Watson’s Lane. The council also has active travel upgrades planned which will focus on enhancing connectivity via the Safe Routes to School programme and general footpath upgrades.