A number of Laois County Councillors again expressed their extreme frustration at the length of time it is taking for light repairs to be carried out across the county.
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, Cllr Moran called for lights in Killeen to be switched on – something that is necessary prior to speed tables being installed in the village.
On the broader issue of the delays in works being carried out, she called for the council to ask an ESB representative to meet councillors to explain their side of things.
“This work is paid for and not done,” said Cllr Moran. “When work like this is paid for, it should have to be done in a specific time frame – say 28 days.
“We’ve been waiting a year in this instance. Everyone in this room has an issue with this. Can we get someone from the ESB in here to explain themselves?”
Cllr Moran was supported by all her council colleagues on the issue.
“There should be some mechanism, a timeline on it,” said Cllr Padraig Fleming. “When they get work, they should be able to say when it will be done.
“How can we tie them down to be a bit more responsive?”
“This comes up practically every meeting,” said Cllr Aidan Mullins. “We’ve never been given an explanation as to why there are such inordinate delays.
“In Ballymorris Road in Portarlington, lights are out nearly a year. Is it a lack of resources on ESB’s behalf or is it because they have a monopoly they can do what they want. They’re paid in advance but I can’t seem them coming in here to answer questions from us.”
“I put discretionary funds into lights at Emo school so I know it’s been paid there,” added Cllr PJ Kelly. “God rest Tom Mulhall, but as he’d say ‘you may drive the boot into them’.”
“They do try and work with us,” said Paul Dunne from Laois County Council, who agreed to contact ESB seeking to set up a meeting with the councillors.
“There are certain times we prioritise work. I do know they are busy the whole time but we have to wait our turn and push as hard as we can.”
In relation to the lights in Killeen, the council response was that they were “awaiting the ESB to energise the connection”.
Separately Cllr Moran called for repair works on the footpath at the N80 in Graiguecullen as well as a speed ramp to be installed in Doireann Alainn estate in Ballylinan.
James Dowling, an engineer with Laois County Council, responded to say that remedial works can be carried out on the Graiguecullen path while engineer Philip McVeigh said that a speed ramp can be installed in Ballylinan in consultation with the residents group.
SEE ALSO – Calls for Stradbally footpath to be extended to scenic Oughaval Woods
