Calls have been made for improvement works to be carried out at a popular Laois golf course described as “an invaluable asset for the area.”
Fine Gael Cllr John King made the comment during the recent Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District meeting this week.
Cllr King called on the County Council to carry out drainage works on the Golf Links road in Rathdowney “to prevent water going on to the golf course and damaging the greens.”
“This golf course is an invaluable asset for the area and it is has a large membership of players,” he said.
“There are over 400 members of this club, which will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary.
“There is no real funding for golf clubs other than from their members.”
There was strong support for the motion from Cllrs Paddy Bracken, James Kelly and Ollie Clooney.
Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the Council’s Roads Department said Road Maintenance Crews “will attend to the drainage problem on the golf links Rathdowney in the coming weeks.”
Cllr King went on to call for the installation of “some serious calming measures such as ramps or rumble strips” on the approach road into Rathdowney from Errill.
“Traffic does not adhere to speed limits already in place,” he said.
“The Council has done tremendous work already, but more needs to be done, sooner rather than later.”
Mr Dowling said the Council’s Road Design Department “will investigate solutions” to reduce the speed of traffic on the road.
Finally, Cllr King called for the installation of safety signs, road markings and bollards on the Ballacolla road close to the GAA grounds and National School.
He said the work needed to be done following completion of drainage works and road resurfacing on the road “in order to make it safe for all who use these facilities.”
Cllr King said these works would benefit local sports clubs and children, calling for the introduction of ‘pencil bollards,’ to indicate there is a school on the road.
Cllr Clooney, who attended the school as a boy, agreed with Cllr King and said “you could drive by and not know there’s a school there at all.”
Mr Dowling said “Laois County Council are awaiting the completion of the Surface Dressing along this newly resurfaced road, following which road markings will be provided along the road.”
SEE ALSO – New candidate hoping to become Laois’s first ever Aontú County Councillor
