End use of bricks on walkways in Mayo

BRICK paving on crossings and walkways should no longer be used by the council.

The options should be concrete or tarmac for walkways, Councillor Al McDonnell has suggested, saying bricks become loose, uneven and create a health and safety risk.

He was commenting on a motion from Councillor Michael Kilcoyne expressing concern about the condition of many pedestrian and courtesy crossings and footpaths in Castlebar.

Councillor Kilcoyne expressed his sympathy with a lady in her 80s who was badly injured and ended up in hospital following a fall at the Chapel Street junction in the town.

Bricks are unsuitable, he said, moving as sand shifts and disintegrating under the weight of trucks.

Councillor Ger Deere said he had asked for an audit last April, but got none, and there has been a litany of falls since.

On the case he outlined, Councillor Kilcoyne said despite happening half a kilometre from the ambulance base, the wait for an ambulance for the lady who fell was going to take three hours as they were all out on calls.

That, he said, is disgraceful.