Up to five zebra pedestrian crossings are amongst Priority 1 projects being considered by Cork County Council and the Youghal Disability Awareness Group on foot of a €50,000 allocated by the County authority. By Christy Parker

Representatives of the disability group and Cllr Michelle Hennessy, its communication officer from Youghal Town Council, are surveying the town with Town Engineer Paul Murray as to best spend the cash. The funding follows an Accessibility Audit conducted in 2008 by the County Council under the 2005 Disability Act.

Points under consideration for pedestrian crossings include Aherne’s (Lower Cork Hill/North Main Street), the Credit Union, Merricks,  Catherine Street and the Mall House. Kerbings in several areas are likely also to be rendered more disabled-friendly, with dropped access and tactile surfaces implemented. “The grant won’t fund all the Priority 1 options so it is expected to target initiatives that are most cost effective to install, says Michelle.

The projects are expected to commence within two weeks. It is hoped that other Priority 1 and Priority 2 and 3 measures will be incorporated in the coming years.