The below motion was put to the full council meeting on 19/10/2026 on my behalf:
An Comhairleoir – Councillor William Durkan
That the council investigate the potential for alternative low cost-design for significant footpath extensions throughout the county, and identity a suitable funding stream for such, to improve active travel networks and service connectivity for affected communities.
Report: Footpaths are constructed in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Street (DMURS) in addition to guidelines issued by the National Transport Authority (NTA) with a desirable minimum size of 2.0 metres on standard urban and residential areas with certain other variances permitted. The Council can build greenway paths with the use of materials such as quarry dust, fine compacted gravel or asphalt, however these are designed to blend into rural or parkland landscapes and are not appropriate for roadside construction.
Funding sources for the delivery of new footpaths are limited with some funding made available by the NTA and additional funding sourced from Local Property Tax or the Pay Parking surplus by agreement with the elected members. Where appropriate, the Council will include a special development contribution as a planning condition where it is deemed appropriate that works, such as a footpath, would facilitate a development but the lands are not within the direct control of the applicant.
The delivery of footpaths most likely also entails the delivery of additional public lighting and, for that additional reason, it is more appropriate for development that is likely to be used by vulnerable road users to be located as close as possible to urban areas to reduce negative impacts on our countryside.
