Road safety and flooding were high on the agenda at last week’s Borris-inOssory-Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.
Cllr John King, in his first meeting as chair, called on Laois County Council to address several of his concerns regards these matters.
Firstly, Cllr King requested an update report on when repair works will be starting on the Wooden Bridge project, close to Ballacolla village, pointing out that these works are fully supported by all Councillors in the area.
Mr Edmond Kenny, District Engineer said: “Laois County Council has designed enhancement measures for Wooden Bridge.
“These measures will ensure load bearing requirements for the Bridge are fulfilled.
“The commencement date for the project is likely to be Q1 2024.
“Implementing the works will require a temporary road closure and that temporary closure will likely be in place for up to 2 months.”
Next, Cllr King called on the Council to carry out modification works to sluice gate on the weir at Bailey’s Mill, Newtown, Durrow, in order to allow the free flow of water during heavy flooding.
Mr Kenny responded by saying: “The sluice gate, which controls and regulates the flow through the weir at Newtown, becomes submerged during high flood conditions.
“Alternative lifting mechanisms are being explored to ensure the free movement of the sluice during flood events.”
Cllr King changed course with his final motion of the day, asking the Council to support and advise the Rathdowney Christmas Lights committee in how to obtain a connection to the existing public light poles.
Cllr King cited a similar project carried out in Abbeyleix as a potential blueprint moving forward.
Ms Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer said:
“A meeting is being arranged by the Public Lighting Engineer to meet an Electrical Contractor on site in Rathdowney to get costings in relation to the provision of outdoor electrical connection points in the town.”
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