ESB operations in Laois branded ‘a disgrace’ by local County Councillor 

A Laois County Councillor has hit out at the ESB, describing some recent actions by the company as “a disgrace.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken was speaking during the May monthly meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District – the District’s final meeting before the June 7 Local Elections.

Cllr Bracken said works done by ESB at the junction of Lord Edward Street and Connolly Street in Mountmellick were “a disgrace.”

“ESB Networks came along and landed a great, big steel pole in the middle of the footpath at the pedestrian crossing, and it’s a disgrace what they did and got away with,” he said.

“This is in the interest of people with mobility problems, people with visual impairments, families with buggies.

“It’s stuck right bang, smack in the middle of the footpath at the pedestrian crossing – it’s disgraceful.

“And they don’t seem intent on moving it; there’s an option for them to move it and it shouldn’t be allowed.

“I had a meeting with some of them yesterday and their argument was that it’s not an impediment to anyone.

“I couldn’t believe it. No other state body would get away with it.”

Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the Council’s Roads Department responded, saying: “there was no prior consultation from the ESB with ourselves on the placement of that pole.”

It was part of a motion from the Fianna Fáil Cllr who called on the Council to “address the serious road safety issues” at the aforementioned junction in Mountmellick.

Cllr Bracken said “a serious accident will occur if this is not addressed.”

Mr Dowling said Laois County Council have arranged for an external consultant to carry out a Road Safety Inspection.

Cllr Bracken questioned why an external consulted was needed, saying “it’s obvious what needs to be done there.

“It needs a proper roundabout; it needs a pedestrian crossing; there’s railings on one side, as you turn the corner – I think railings are needed on the opposite side as well.

“It’s an area with a huge volume of kids going to school. It’s the busiest section of the town, in terms of population.”

Cllr Bracken had earlier began his motions by calling on the County Council, in conjunction with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), “treat as a matter of urgency consider the provision of a pedestrian crossing and traffic lights at Smiths Corner on the N80 in Mountmellick.”

The Fianna Fáil Cllr said it is the “third of fourth time” he has tabled this motion in his time as a County Cllr and said the aforementioned pedestrian crossing is a “necessary piece of infrastructure at this junction.”

Cllr Bracken said this was a matter of “pedestrian safety” and “in the interest of traffic flow in Mountmellick,” calling the junction “a nightmare for pedestrians and drivers.”

Party colleague, Cllr Seamus McDonald supported the motion, saying the junction is “seriously dangerous for drivers.”

Mr Dowling said “Laois County Council will liaise with the TII Road Safety Section to assess the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing” at the location.

Cllr Bracken concluded by asking the Council to install speed ramps “to slow down the speeding traffic at Acragar, Mountmellick.”

He pointed out that Páirc Acragar, the home of Mountmellick GAA, attracted numerous children walking along the road, which Cllr Bracken said sees drivers “bombing up that road.”

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney supported the motion, saying speeding is a nationwide problem which is “out of control at the moment.”

Cllr McDonald also supported the motion, saying there are families “living in fear.”

Mr Dowling said a District Engineer will meet with Cllr Bracken on site “to discuss interventions to slow down traffic” on the approach road.

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