Laneways to car parks in west Mayo town not the responsibility of council

LANEWAYS leading to public car parks in Westport are privately owned and not the responsibility of Mayo County Council.

Liability for trips and falls doesn't rest with the local authority, a municipal district meeting has heard.

Councillor Peter Flynn sought clarity on who owns all the laneways that provide pedestrian links/access to the council's four main public car parks in Westport town centre, if the council has any plans for taking them over, and its obligations in the event of an accident or injury by people using the routes.

The condition of the laneways is deteriorating, with paving coming up, holes, poor lighting, and the surface can be slippy, said Councillor Flynn.

They are privately owned, he said, and he understood the council has no intention of doing anything about them even though they lead to their main car parks.

He wanted it put on the record that if someone has an accident, the general public has no comeback on the council. He wanted that in 'back and white' and requested that confirmation be received from their insurers that the council will be absolved from liability.

Councillor Johnny O'Malley wondered if this meant that the people who own them are responsible for them and could they stop people going into the car parks.

It was pointed out that there are other access points to the car parks other than having to go through the lanes.

It would also not be in the interest of businesses to block them, impeding access to their own businesses.

Asking if the council has any intention of taking them over, Councillor Flynn was told there has been no application to take in charge.

They would have to be inspected regarding standards before this could be done.

The routes are vital arteries into the car parks, said Councillor Flynn, who warned there will be law cases coming as they have really deteriorated.

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