The street lights in the Crossneen Manor housing estate in Graiguecullen have not worked for several months now.
The situation has been described by an area representative as “an absolute nightmare for residents.”
Aaron Kelly, who intends to contest the 2024 Local Election for Sinn Fein in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Area, spoke to LaoisToday about the issue.
He said: “I was down there recently on a canvass and it is an absolute nightmare for residents.
“One elderly woman had a bad fall outside her house as she could not see the footpath with the street lighting out of action. It is also attracting anti-social behaviour from teenagers who do not even live in the estate.
“Residents are very concerned at the moment and the Residents Committee have asked for me to represent them to the Council in regards to this issue.
“They are particularly concerned with the darker evenings fast approaching and really need the issue resolved.”
Mr Kelly has contacted Laois Counci regarding the issue and says it has been referred to the Roads and Planning Departments for review.
Crossneen Manor has not been taken in charge of by the council despite it being developed almost twenty years ago.
Mr Kelly said: “I know that this goes back to issues with the developer but surely there is something that the Council can do regarding the street lighting at least considering residents are paying their local property tax.
“There are other outstanding issues in relation to compliance with conditions and with regard to the wastewater infrastructure which need to be addressed by the developer prior to taking charge but the Council need to be forcing this to be resolved.”
Sinn Féin Cllr Aidan Mullins first raised the issue as far back as 2017 and again in April 2021.
Mr Kelly said: “Aidan explained at one of the meetings that there was a €300,000 bond in place with the developer that would be paid back when the council were happy that all outstanding issues had been addressed.
“The problem is that the Council is very slow to force the developer to complete the work so why not draw down the bond and have the Council complete the work themselves?
“There are approximately 100 houses in Crosneen Manor and it is dangerous for kids playing on the street and for elderly people trying to walk to their homes.
“Some residents have torches kept inside their door so that they can walk to and from their cars at night.
These people deserve better and I will stay fighting their corner as the local Sinn Féin representative in Graiguecullen.
“I am working hard on a voluntary basis to be a voice for the local people and help out in any way possible and I look forward to contesting the local elections, as a Sinn Féin candidate, in Graiguecullen/Portarlington LEA next year.”
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