A local Councillor has called on Laois County Council to address flooding issues, pedestrian safety and disrepair on three roads in Mountmellick.
Cllr Paddy Bracken was speaking at this week’s Borris-in-Ossary-Mountmellick Municipal District meeting, where he began with the lack of surface water drainage at Irishtown.
The affected area at the Mountmellick Development Association is at high risk of flooding. Cllr Bracken says rain water is going into residents’ yards and a water gully is needed.
“Those people have suffered enough,” he said. “I don’t know what it will cost but it has to be done.”
The Fianna Fáil Cllr asked that the Council work in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to address the issue.
In response, Mr Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engine of Roads said the issue will be reviewed and where a solution is possible, a proposal will be developed and submitted to TII.
Cllr Bracken aslo rose the issue of safety concerns at the pedestrian crossing on the N80 at Emmett Street.
“Traffic is flying through,” he said. “The flashing sign is doing nothing – people are afraid there’s going to be a serious accident.”
Mr McLoughlin said a member of the Road Design Section will meet with the Counsillor at the location to “assess the current situation and gain an appreciation of the issues with a view to addressing them appropriately.”
Cllr Bracken concluded with a call to repair the L21202 road at Derrydavy, saying, “The whole road is gone, it’s just eroded away.”
District Engineer, Mr Edmond Kenny said repairs will be undertaken by maintenance crews in the coming days.
