Irish water have been accused of “leaving the people of Mountmellick in an awful situation” after an unannounced water stoppage in the town.
The water to every home and business in Mountmellick was cut off from 9am on Thursday, July 18, and did not return until well after midnight.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken said he “condemned in the strongest possible way the failure of Irish Water this week to notify the residents of Mountmellick about the turning off of water to the town.”
The water was turned off to facilitate works at the Derryguile reservoir, however, there was no notification for the residents of Mountmellick, who found themselves unexpectedly without water for the entire day.
Cllr Bracken said the failure of Irish Water to notify residents in advance of the works – either by leaflet drop or roadside signage – shows “no one in Irish Water cared about the people of Mountmellick.”
Cllr Bracken went on to call on Laois County Council to complete Phase 2 of the refurbishment of O’ Connell Square in Mountmellick.
Cllr Bracken said the job has remained unfinished for the past two years, to which Director of Services, Mr Donal Brennan responded: “the Council will explore potential avenues for grant funding for further works.”
Next, the Fianna Fáil councillor called for funding to upgrade the road from Derrycloney Bridge to the R422 junction of the Rosenallis/Clonaslee Road in Mountmellick.
This added further fuel to the fire of the much-maligned Mountmellick bypass, with Cllr Bracken saying “the speed on that road, the volume of traffic, and the poor state of the road,” had left driving conditions “in a dire state.”
Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the Council’s Roads Department said:
“Laois County Council committed to their 2024 have road strengthening programme which is the last year of a three year programme. The road in question can be examined for inclusion in the next three year programme.”
Finally, Cllr Bracken requested an update from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the provision of a roundabout on the N80 at Derrycloney, Mountmellick.
Mr Dowling said the Council’s Road Design Department “are
continuing to explore opportunities for junction improvements at this location.”
