The ESB say they are not liable for a pole on a Laois road after a Laois County Councillor called on them to ‘cop on and act before somebody is killed’.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the Borris-In-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District, Cllr Ollie Clooney outlined the issues with the offending pole which is located on the Swan Road near The Harps GAA pitch.
He said: “This pole has nine lives – it has been crashed into three times and it is still standing.
“Nobody wants to see a fatality here and this is exactly what could happen if the pole is not removed.”
In response to Cllr Clooney’s call, engineer Edmund Kenny said he would arrange a meeting between the council and the ESB.
He said: “Laois County Council will visit the site with the utility provider to ascertain whose responsibility it is to relocate the pole.”
But now, the ESB have released a statement to say that they have carried out a site survey and they are not liable.
They said: “The poles in question are not ESB Networks Assets.
“ESB are not responsible for moving them and are not liable for any of the safety issues you indicate that they are presenting to the public.
“This has been verified by the Local ESB Networks Supervisor during a site visit today.”
Separately, Cllr Clooney called on the Council to repair the dangerous footpath on the Derry Road, Durrow
He said: “We are trying to encourage people to get out and walk so we need to provide the service.
“This footpath is very poor and needs to be repaired.”
In reply, engineer Edmund Kenny said: “Laois County Council will survey the footpath identified and revert to the Elected Member once complete.”
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