Laytown Age-Friendly 'walkability study'

Work needed to make Laytown as 'walkable' as possible was identified in a recent Work needed to make Laytown as 'walkable' as possible was identified in a recent 'walkability' study of the village.

The study was conducted by the Age Friendly Aliance with the help of local residents and students, and among the issues they looked at were pedestrian crossings, trip hazards and the need for traffic calming.

Mick Finnegan, Meath County COuncil's Road Safety Officer and chair of the Age Friendly Alliance was accompanied by Age Friendly programme manager, Valerie McHugh who organised the audit, Alison Lynch, a member of the Aliance, council engineers, Cllr Sharon Tolan, five students from Colaiste na hInse and a number of local people.

"The audit was an action of the new age friendly strategy to ensure older people are safer when walking," said Ms McHugh.

"We were looking to see if there were any barriers or restrictions that would be a problem to less abled people," she explained.

"We were mindful of older people walking, but were also conscious of the number of visitors that come to the area and students walking to school," said Mr Finnegan.

"We focussed on the area from the Railway Station to the Bettystown side of Colaiste na hInse.

"We looked at pedestrians crossings and where they were needed and the need for traffic calming measures.

"We looked at the condition of the footpaths and trip hazards. Road markings were also examined, particularly at the many entrances to estates where well defined markings are necessary.

"We also noted the location of bus stops and the provision of age friendly parking."

Mr Finnegan explained that they will compile a report for Meath County Council's Tranport Section.

"We have done these studies before in Kells, Athboy, Trim and Ashbourne and submissions made in our reports were taken on board when major works were being carrie dout in those town," he said.

"The students from Colaiste na h Inse were absolutely brilliant, they are walking in this area and looking at it every day."

Cllr Tolan said the audit and the issues identified during it, will form part of an overall plan to deliver improved and safer walking infrastructure including footpaths and crossings.

"It was a very worthwhile experience. We met at the promenade one group of us started off towards the railway, while a second group went in the oppisite direction towards the Colaiste.

"The students were a great help and we all met for a chat and a cuppa afterwards," she said.

"I want to thank the team for taking the time to help. The students highlighted a number of important issues they experience every day trying to get to and from school safely. It is so important that we ensure all of our local residents can get about safely," she concluded.

The study was conducted by the Age Friendly Alliance with the help of local residents and students, and among the issues they looked at were pedestrian crossings, trip hazards and the need for traffic calming.

Mick Finnegan, Meath County Council's Road Safety Officer and chair of the Age Friendly Alliance was accompanied by Age Friendly programme manager, Valerie McHugh who organised the audit, Alison Lynch, a member of the Alliance, council engineers, Cllr Sharon Tolan, five students from Colaiste na hInse and a number of local people.

"The audit was an action of the new age friendly strategy to ensure older people are safer when walking," said Ms McHugh.

"We were looking to see if there were any barriers or restrictions that would be a problem to less abled people," she explained.

"We were mindful of older people walking, but were also conscious of the number of visitors that come to the area and students walking to school," said Mr Finnegan.

"We focussed on the area from the Railway Station to the Bettystown side of Colaiste na hInse.

"We looked at pedestrians crossings and where they were needed and the need for traffic calming measures.

"We looked at the condition of the footpaths and trip hazards. Road markings were also examined, particularly at the many entrances to estates where well defined markings are necessary.

"We also noted the location of bus stops and the provision of age friendly parking."

Mr Finnegan explained that they will compile a report for Meath County Council's Transport Section.

"We have done these studies before in Kells, Athboy, Trim and Ashbourne and submissions made in our reports were taken on board when major works were being carried out in those town," he said.

"The students from Colaiste na h Inse were absolutely brilliant, they are walking in this area and looking at it every day."

Cllr Tolan said the audit and the issues identified during it, will form part of an overall plan to deliver improved and safer walking infrastructure including footpaths and crossings.

"It was a very worthwhile experience. We met at the promenade one group of us started off towards the railway, while a second group went in the opposite direction towards the Colaiste.

"The students were a great help and we all met for a chat and a cuppa afterwards," she said.

"I want to thank the team for taking the time to help. The students highlighted a number of important issues they experience every day trying to get to and from school safely. It is so important that we ensure all of our local residents can get about safely," she concluded.