Laois County Councillor ’embarrassed’ by 15-year wait for rural bridge repairs

A local County Councillor has said he is “embarrassed” in raising his motion, which he said he first raised 15 years ago.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McDonald was speaking at the April meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District earlier this week.

An exasperated Cllr McDonald called for Laois County Council make progress at the Barrow Bridge at Rearyvalley, between Rosenallis and Clonaslee

The bridge has been in need of repairs for decades according to Cllr McDonald who said he was embarrassed to have to raise the motion 15 years after he first brought it to the attention of Laois County Council.

Cllr Paddy Bracken supported the motion and corroborated that his party colleague had indeed been raising the issue “several times over the years,” without seeing any action.

Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer for Roads responded, saying District staff are currently engaging a consultant to carryout a Assessment.

Cllr McDonald was unhappy with the reply, saying “it’s a load of red tape as far as I’m concerned.”

The Cllr went on to call on Laois County Council carry out road repairs at Irey, Ballyfin, saying residents would appreciate even remedial repairs,

Mr Dowling again responded, saying Council maintenance crews will attend to this road in the coming weeks.

Cllr McDonald concluded by calling for the County Council to clean the River Barrow upstream from Ballyclare Bridge to Tinnahinch Bridge.

The Fianna Fáil Cllr said this stretch of river has not been cleaned in 15 years, saying there are cattle grazing on the river due to the amount of growth.

Mr Adrian Barrett, Senior Engineer said “the Council will inspect the stretch of river identified by Cllr McDonald with a view to including it on the of river maintenance programme works, subject to appropriate environmental and ecological surveys being undertaken.”

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