Concerns raised about footpath diversion on Patrick Street
Concerns have been expressed following recent works to the footpath and road on Patrick Street, Fermoy to facilitate outdoor dining.
Works on the main street outside Hanna’s Restaurant saw an extension of the footpath to allow for outdoor dining at the cafe and bistro, with a new footpath diversion in place for pedestrians.
According to one local, ‘ a lot of people’ have voiced their concerns on the works.
“The public footpath is closed and people have to walk onto the street. There’s no reason the footpath should be closed down. Everybody is up in arms about it,” claimed the local man.
“What if somebody gets knocked down on the street? Who is responsible then? Elderly people are being forced to walk outside onto the roadway,” the man told TheAvondhu.
A second individual noted the small space offered by the footpath extension, stating that people are ‘ brushing against each other’ in passing, and stressed that the 2-metre rule and social distancing are not catered for with the space.
While another said the seating area should have been moved out onto the street and allow pedestrians to still use the footpath ‘rather than the other way around’.
NOTHING DIFFERENT
Proprietor of Hanna’s Delicatessen, Cafe & Bistro, David Ryan, stated that the business had obtained a license to carry out the works to facilitate an outdoor dining space.
“I don’t believe we have done anything differently to any other town in Ireland,” he stated, adding that he had no further comment to make on the matter.
The Avondhu contacted Cork County Council at the time that the footpath extension was under construction. They stated, “These works are not being undertaken by Cork County Council.” Cork “A County licence Council from is required to place tables, chairs and other structures in public places and is required for the use of public space as part of this scheme. The Section 254 licence is granted on an annual basis and the Council have simplified its terms and conditions and waived the fees during the Covid pandemic,” a council spokesperson also noted.
Further enquiries revealed the works were carried out via Fáilte Ireland’s new ‘ Outdoor Seating and Accessories Scheme’ aimed at assisting the dining/ entertainment sector in increasing their outdoor capacity.
Another who spoke with TheAvondhu acknowledged the difficulties faced by the hospitality sector, but claimed that the footpath diversion was ‘the wrong thing to do’.
While acknowledging that it’s bringing a lot of business back into the town, he said, “It’s completely wrong to close the footpath down like that just to facilitate a business.”