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The Final Showdown
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fter all the kicking and scheming, the residents protest over the new Blacklion footpath design have 
accepted defeat.
The town engineer, Ruairí O’Hanlon, was there, and was insistent that the works – which the residents in question felt would block vehicle access to certain houses (including the longtime home of an 87-year-old woman) whilst also taking away parking spaces – would be going ahead.
“The situation still remains the same,” he told the Guide this morning, “and I would note that it is only the owners of 3 residences that have an issue with the works, whereas all other households are very happy with the plans and the way the works are being carried out.”
Legally, there was nothing to stop the work going ahead. And, in truth, vehicle access shouldn’t be a problem. Once one neighbour doesn’t block another.
Nonetheless, this evening, Linda Murphy is still worried about the new design, pointing out that her mother “is terrified to go out at all now”.
3 comments
Recently I along with 3 or 4 other cars had to drive on the footpath (on the bend just after St Kevins left side heading up toward the lights) as lorry (40′) heading downhill in opposite direction negotiated that bend. Road seems very narrow on that section of road. Cones did not help but will be interesting to see how that works out.
The attitude from these people is shocking and a case example of NIMBYism. They want to continue parking their cars illegally! Jesus, that is some neck.
Comments from our social media…
Anne Marie Gahan I was at the junction at Roches chemist in blacklion and observed that the 84 could not pass a car at the junction. It had to wait till the car turned on to the kilcoole road, this is going to cause some headaches when all the schools are back. No need to have paths as wide as this.
Nollaig Wilson This is a personal view and I hope I’m wrong, but I fear that a pedestrian or a cyclist is going to be killed or seriously injured within 6 months of the completion of the works.
Imagine your child cycling on that narrow stretch of road on a wet, dark, winter’s evening.
Again…I hope I’m wrong and I’m sure Mr O’Hanlon hopes I’m wrong also as I will personally hold him responsible for any tragedy.
Kathy Sharry I have to say I drive along there a lot and the road is way too narrow now, def an accident waiting to happen and as for resident who is terrified to go out of her own home,that’s a disgrace,surely the residents should be listened to! And when schools re open it will be a total nightmare!
Padraig Addison-Smyth “Only 3 residences” – very disarming statement, there are only 7 homes on that stretch so that’s quite a number all directly impacted by these works. Usual steamroll approach here, more effort should have been made to listen to their concerns and address them, they live with the daily mess of the school runs here and when an elderly person is left terrified in their own home – well hope that the only 3 residences person is very proud! Go Linda and team.
Jessica Donnelly It’s very disappointing that the concerns of the residents were not listened to, and that no compromise could have been made.
Kathleen O Toole Tighe I past this yesterday I wasn’t aware of what was going on but the new pavements are very wide.
Janey O’Halloran I think Ruairi needs to reconsider his design as any large truck waiting for green light to Tesco will cause delays for traffic heading down Rathdown Road as his design is too narrow whether he likes to admit it or not
Alan Kilduff It seems to be too narrow now where you are stopped waiting to turn right at Roche’s. The cars continuing down rathdown road used to pass easily on the inside but now they seem to have to squeeze past.