Mountmellick footpaths in ‘a dire state’ and require urgent attention to protect safety of pedestrians

The footpaths in a major Laois town are in “a dire state” and require urgent attention and increased funding to protect the safety of pedestrians.

That is according to Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken who was speaking at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District earlier this week.

Cllr Bracken began by calling for the Council to urgently repair the damaged footpath that has subsided at Manor Road.

The affected area is in a dangerous spot, located directly on the bridge outside of the Manor Grove Housing Estate.

Mr Rory O’Callaghan, Senior Executive Engineer, said the repair work will be carried out in the first quarter of 2025.

But Cllr Bracken said there is no footpath on the other side of the road and implored Mr O’Callaghan to have emergency repairs carried out before Christmas – although that was not guaranteed.

Next, Cllr Bracken card on Laois County Council to carry out a survey of all footpaths in Mountmellick “with a view to getting extra funding to carry out a programme of repairs.”

The Fianna Fáil Councillor said there is a “huge problem” in Mountmellick, insisting the town’s older footpaths “are in very poor repair.”

Mr O’Callaghan again responded, saying: “The Area Office will carry out a footpath condition survey in Mountmellick.

“On the completion of the survey all recommendations for repairs will be listed and costed.”

Finally, Cllr Bracken asked that the Council provide additional outdoor staffing resources for the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick MD.

Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services, said: “The need to first of all return the staffing complement of the District to full strength is appreciated and the Human Resources Section will put in place actions to achieve this return to full complement.

“Furthermore, given the increasing workloads across all districts, the Council will in the New Year commence a process of examining the long term delivery needs within the workforce with the Districts.”

Cllr Bracken said that response “did not answer the question,” saying in Mountmellick alone there are two members of staff who have left and not been replaced.

“There’s an increasing workload,” he said. “And it’s slowing down the whole process; it’s frustrating to think we such few outdoor staff.”

Independent Councillor Ollie Clooney supported the motion and told that Council that hiring additional staff “would save untold money” on outsourcing the work.

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