Laois Councillor calls for investigation into ‘long delays’ in ‘basic public infrastructure’

Laois County Council have been called on to conduct an investigation into “long delays” in “basic public infrastructure” in the County.

Speaking at the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District meeting this week, Sinn Féin Cllr Aidan Mullins called for the Council to:

“Investigate and explain the long delays in repairing/energising the public lighting along Ballymorris Road and in Lansdowne Estate, Portarlington.”

Cllr Mullins said the developer “had failed,” so the Council had been forced to intervene.

The Sinn Féin Cllr also asked why ESB had “taken so long” to take any action in the estate.

Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the Council’s Roads Department said his department have liaised with their maintenance contractor, adding “these lights will be attended to in the coming days and be fixed.”

Cllr Mullins then called on the Council to carry out a survey on the pedestrian crossing at the entrance to St Brigid’s Square in Portarlington.

He said “there has been a number of reported near misses at the crossing,” adding that he has raised this issue before but “nothing happened.”

Fine Gael Cllr PJ Kelly supported the motion, suggesting embedded lights on the crossing as a potential solution.

In response, Mr Dowling said the Council’s Road Design Section “will carry out a review” of the crossing.

Cllr Mullins concluded as asking that the Council “consider the request from the residents of Marian Hill in Portarlington to make it one way traffic in their estate.”

He described the area as “very narrow for two-way traffic” and “very restrictive.”

Cllr Kelly again supported this motion, saying “fair play to the residents.”

Mr Dowling said the Road Design Section would meet with both Cllr Mullins and Area Engineer, Mr Philip McVeigh “to review the possibility of a one-way system.”

SEE ALSO – Planning Permission granted for new residential development in Portarlington