A Waterford Council director says there is 'no need' for the local authority to consider increasing their presence on the Waterford Greenway.
Further calls for increased policing and monitoring have come after two teenage cyclists clashed on the Greenway near Ballylynch last week - with both hospitalised as a result.
Initial calls for Greenway wardens came earlier this year from Cllr. Ger Barron (Labour) in the aftermath of the murder of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy while out running in Tullamore, County Offaly in January.
The issue of safety was highlighted at the April meeting of the Dungarvan / Lismore District of Waterford Council - with Sinn Fein Cllr. Conor McGuinness questioning if the local authority should have a larger role when it comes to keeping users of the Greenway as safe as possible.
"There was an incident on the Greenway that resulted in a number of people being injured. It got me thinking - and it would have been discussed previously, how do we manage the competing demands for space on the Greenway? I do take the point that we cannot be everywhere all the time. We cannot have wardens on every stretch of the Greenway - but do we have a role in terms of operation to make sure it's used correctly?"
Labour Party Councillor Thomas Phelan also voiced concerns, noting that Cllr. Barron's initial proposals hadn't gotten much positive response from the Council - and questioned whether funding would be available for the provision of wardens.
However, Council Director of Services, Kieran Kehoe dismissed such a proposal - stating that there is 'no need' for the Council to explore any such avenue.
"I don't think it merits the need of funding. It doesn't merit that need of constant vigilance. There's been one incident in five years. I don't think it merits that such intervention. We'll take on board the comments and can provide maybe improved signage and social media awareness toward the rules of the Greenway. The rules of the Greenway are there on our website. Maybe, we could do so in a more overt way but we can definitely look into that."
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