Cllrs hear plan for new footpath across fields in Kells would eliminate a 2km drive through the town for many schoolgoers

A proposed new footpath across fields in Kells will eliminate a 2km drive through the town for many schoolgoers.

Plans for a pedestrian and cycling link from the Jim Brunnock Road in Kells to Hermitage Glen and the Gardenrath Road, as well as a pedestrian crossing on the Gardenrath Road, were unveiled at a meeting of Kells Municipal Council last week.

The development is being carried out as part of the Safe Routes to School Programme and could be complete as early as this time next year.

Councillors were told An Taisce had chosen Our Lady of Mercy Junior National School and St Colmcille's Senior National School for the programme. Front of school works were carried as part of the scheme last year.

A permeability link from Gardenrath Road to the Jim Brunnock Road was identified as an important part of the scheme.

At the moment people often walk across the fields to get the schools, showing the need for the route.

"Instead of a 2km drive around the town every morning, and a 2km drive back, it is a 1lkm walk which is easily achievable for schoolchildren," councillors were told.

The route is agricultural land at the moment, so it needs a Part 8 planning and an application willl be lodged shortly.

Subject to planning approval, agreement with landowners and funding from the NTA, it is expected that works could commence late this year and be completed early next year.

The new footpath will run along the field to the back of Termon Hall houses and come out at Hermitage Glen Green. As the route will create more pedestrians, a new pedestrian crossing will be installed on the Gardenrath Road.

The three metre wide route is expected to cost between half a million 600,000 and the NTA will fund it .

The path will benefit 1000 pupils attending three schools, as well as patrons of the swiimming pool and the community generally.

Councillors were told the new link will help with local, regional and national policy of transitioning away from car use to active travel.

The council has engaged with the residents in the local estates.

Cllr Sean Drew said a footpath there was spoken about when he was a young lad at school. "That's neither today or yesterday. "It is time now, that it is done".

Cllr Sarah Reilly described it as a wonderful asset for the town.

Cllr Mike Bray said "It will open up the whole area. It will be quicker route, but also a safer route."