Sandwich boards, planters and other street furniture are obstructing pavements in Killarney and making it difficult for people with mobility issues to move safely around the town.
That's according to Labour councillor Marie Moloney, who told the recent Killarney Municipal District meeting the town's streets must be accessible to everyone.
She has called for a comprehensive accessibility survey of the town
Cllr Moloney said people using wheelchairs, parents with prams and young children are regularly forced onto the road because footpaths are blocked.
She described seeing a mother with a buggy and toddler walk on the road to get around an outdoor dining area, while a visually impaired resident told her delivery trucks are often parked on footpaths.
She also highlighted vehicles parked on footpaths on College Street, bins left out for hours after collection, delivery trucks blocking disabled parking spaces, and sandwich boards, planters and other street furniture obstructing pedestrian routes.
She said some outdoor dining areas are positioned against buildings blocking pedestrian access, but stressed she fully supports outdoor dining because it benefits businesses and adds to the town's atmosphere.
However, she said the needs of people with disabilities and mobility issues must also be considered, adding that everyone had the right to move around the town without obstruction.
Cllr Moloney said greater consistency is needed with standard layouts for outdoor dining areas so pedestrians know where clear routes are available.
She also suggested businesses that repeatedly breach outdoor dining licence conditions should be warned it could affect future licence renewals.
She called for the findings of the survey to come before councillors in two months' time at the next MD meeting.
Councillor Maura Healy-Rae seconded the motion.
