Social Democrat councillor calls footpath condition a chronic problem

A video showing the poor state of footpaths in North County Dublin has gone viral, prompting calls for action.

Social Democrat councillor Joan Hopkins, representing Howth‑Malahide, posted footage of footpaths in Howth, Sutton, Malahide, Portmarnock and Baldoyle, highlighting obstacles, cracks and raised sections. She told Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live that the issue is “chronic” and affects the whole country.

Hopkins said many routes lack any footpath, while others are blocked by poles, bins, parked cars or overgrown bushes. She also noted the absence of dished curbs, which makes paths inaccessible to people using wheelchairs, walkers or buggies. “It’s hugely important because some people think, ‘Oh, they’re just footpaths, it’s just concrete’, but actually it’s about our physical and mental health and reducing traffic,” she said.

Disability advocate Graham Merrigan described how cracks in the pavement have caused him to fall out of his wheelchair several times this year, leading to injuries and anxiety about leaving the house. He also pointed out that utility works often dig up footpaths without reinstating them, a problem Hopkins said can undermine council spending on repairs.

Both speakers stressed that improving footpaths would benefit a wide range of users and could be achieved relatively easily.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: terry narcissan tsui / Pexels.