Community walk-shop is ‘eye-opener’ about footpath obstacles

Last Friday saw Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association’s second annual Make Way Day walk-shop event take place in Gorey town…

The walk was attended by 23 people including members of St. Aidan’s Services, Councillors Nicky Boland and Donal Kenny, Wexford County Council staff, and members of the public.

Led by the Disability Federation of Ireland, Make Way Day is a campaigned aimed at fostering greater inclusivity in our shared public spaces.

One participant said it was a “privilege” to take part in the walk, and remarked on “the drama that unfolded at every curb, every crossing, every junction,” as people navigated obstructions and inaccessible infrastructure.

Some quotes overheard on the walk were “It’s not fair,” “We want to live independently,” and “Pass me the megaphone!”

Speaking to Wexford Weekly on Tuesday, GPCA representative said:

“Clear and accessible footpaths are essential to enable people to live their lives with dignity and independence, and participate fully in their community. There is a large volume of work to be done, to make this a reality in Gorey.”

GPCA reiterated earlier calls for Wexford County Council to carry out a full accessibility audit of all footpaths in the town and implement works to make them safer. This was promised eight years ago as part of the extended Gorey Local Area Plan.

On the walk, GPCA members mapped out hazards, obstacles, and infrastructure problems that prevent people from safely navigating public spaces.

Among the issues identified were:

-People parking their vehicles on footpaths or blocking the dropped kerbs that wheelchair users and visually impaired people rely on to cross the road.

-Large wheelie bins, barrels, and street furniture obstructing footpaths.

-Insufficient time for people with reduced mobility to cross the road, at signalised pedestrian crossings.

-The dangerous junction of Pearse Street and Fort Road, where there is no pedestrian crossing, and poor sightlines because of illegal parking.

-The need for a footpath outside Breen’s Bar.

-The need for a pedestrian crossing between the Methodist Carpark and Gorey Civic Square.

-Several side roads in need of tactile paving, that helps visually impaired people when crossing roads.

-Some shops and businesses not having ramps to allow wheelchair users to enter and spend their money.

-A need for more pedestrian crossings on Gorey Main Street.

Participants on the walk also paused outside Joannes’ Coffee Shop to remember Nataliia Voskanova, who sadly passed away recently, two months after she was struck by an oil truck on Gorey Main Street. GPCA reiterated its earlier calls for the council to introduce safety measures on the street.

This year’s walk follows a walking and cycling infrastructure audit completed by GPCA and presented to the Gorey Municipal District in 2023, one completed by Wexford County Council’s Access Department at least year’s Make Way Day walk, and an accessibility survey completed my disability activist Matthew McGrath earlier this year.

The GPCA representative commended Wexford County Council on the progress made since last year’s walk:

“There has been footpath resurfacing, and repainting and lengthening of some blue badge parking spaces. Several vibrating plates and audio used by people with sight loss at pedestrian crossings, have also been fixed.” The group confirmed that it will liaise with the council regarding follow-up of the issues raised during this year’s walk.

While council engagement on local works and with the Access Department is very welcome, the GPCA representative said said it was “disheartening” that, eight years after the initiation of the Gorey Local Area Plan 2017-2022 (which was extended to 2026), the council does not appear to have acted on Objective AMS03. This provision was to: ‘Undertake an audit of existing footpaths in the plan area in order to identify and implement a scheme of works required to make footpaths safe for all users.’

GPCA encouraged the public, the Gardaí, and Wexford County Council to work together to improve accessibility:

“People can help by taking a few extra moments to find a safe place to park, picking up after dogs, cutting back overhanging branches, and making sure that bins, street furniture, and bicycles do not create an obstruction. We also need greater enforcement from our council and Gardaí, a full audit report, and improvements to the infrastructure.”

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