Council meeting told Laois pedestrian crossings and lights out of action

A councillor said the situation with public lighting in Laois was "absolutely bananas"

A council meeting was told road lighting has been out for over a year and traffic lights are out of action for four or five months in Laois.

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins raised the issue at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.

He said lighting on the Ballymorris Road in Portarlington is out for over a year and he was “nearly afraid to answer the phone” to the residents who need light in the area. “It is not acceptable,” he said.

“I have to also mention lights and pedestrian crossings out at schools and other areas,” he said. Cllr Mullins said in some cases they are out for four or five months and there seems to “be inordinate delay to critical infrastructure at crossings.” He mentioned two locations in Portarlington, one of which was at a school.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said she was in complete agreement on the lighting situation. She said the same contractor had given a ten day commitment to repair lights in Carlow.

“We have one person for all the lights, it is absolutely bananas,” she said.

Cllr Moran said if the contractor was unable to meet their contractual obligations they should be removed and someone else should be given the contract.