Review of footpaths in Kildare town planned 'once funding has been allocated'

A review of the condition of footpaths in Maynooth is due to be carried out by Kildare County Council; however, funding is not available at present, the local authority has stated.

The council was responding to a motion tabled by Cllr Angela Feeney (LAB) at a Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting held on Friday February 7 2025.

In her motion, Cllr Feeney called on the council to review footpaths in older estates in Maynooth “with a view to inclusion in planned works for the year ahead.”

Cllr Feeney told the meeting that in some of the older estates in Maynooth, the footpaths are in very poor condition and in some cases “are really quite dangerous.”

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She said that due to an ageing demographic, many people in these estates were elderly, and were afraid to walk around their estates due to the condition of footpaths.

She said this should not be the case, as “that might be the only walk they might do in the day.”

Cllr Feeney added there was a need to make it safer for people living in those estates so that they can go for a walk in safety and not worry about the condition of footpaths.

She hoped that the matter would be prioritised, she said, either in the normal maintenance plans for the year ahead, or in the context of LPT (Local Property Tax) allocations.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Peter Melrose (SD) said that for himself “as a 36-year-old”, a “trip and a fall might be a bit embarrassing”, whereas for elderly people you could be talking about “a broken shoulder or lifelong injuries.”

Re-iterating what Cllr Feeney said, Cllr Melrose said there is an older demographic in these estates, and the council should be prioritising them in terms of footpath maintenance.

A council official, responding to councillors, said the council carries out work depending on need, but also depending on funding.

The official pointed out he has “in-laws” in one of these estates, so that he is “well aware” of the concerns raised by the councillors.

A report issued by the council confirmed the Municipal District office will carry out a review of footpaths “once funding has been allocated.”

However, the report concluded, “due to the demands on the existing resources in the Municipal District, only funded works can be considered in 2025.”