Hundreds of metres of Laois road washed away in flash flood

The washing away of hundreds of metres of a road near Clonaslee during recent flooding highlights the need to spend more money on route upgrades around the community.

So Laois County Council was told at a recent meeting that by Cllr Seamus McDonald. 

He tabled a motion calling on the Council carry out urgent road repairs at Tinnahinch, Clonaslee because serious damage has been caused at this location due to recent flooding.

“There was flash flooding and it washed away a big section of road - maybe 500 metres,” he said.

Cllr McDonald welcomed the council response to the damage but said a longer term investment is needed.

“We have a major problem with the lack of funding for the roads in the Clonaslee area. Roads are being filled on a daily basis but are washed out again after a few weeks,” he said.

He sought more money for the roads in and around the Slieve Blooms community.

The Fianna Fáil councillor was backed by his party colleague Cllr Paddy Bracken. He called for more cash to be spent not just in Clonaslee but also in Rosenallis and Mountmellick. 

“There are bad areas and it’s just constant patching,” he said. 

Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, said maintenance crews would attend the damage at Tinnahinch.

Laois TD warns against scooters for Christmas

The issue was raised at a recent Borris-in-Osory Mountmelllick Municipal District meeting in  County Hall Portlaoise.