Dozen lights needed at 'completely dark' Laois junction

A dozen lights are needed at the Castletown bridge to address a safety issue.

That was the case made by Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, at a recent meeting with Laois County Council.

In a motion he called on the local authority to install public lighting to improve safety at the junction of the R445 in Castletown with the L-1672 at Castletown bridge.

Cllr Bergin said he knew it wouldn’t be an easy fix but needs to be addressed as there are no lights on the junction which is popular with walkers with many people walking between Castletown and Mountrath.

“Lighting is the first thing that needs to go in as it is completely dark and there is a sharp turn,” he said.

He said it needs more than two or three lights. He hoped a strategic grant could be sourced from national government to fund this and other work.

“It would probably need a dozen lights,” he said.

He was backed by Cllr James Kelly, Independent, who said the other work needed at the ‘very bad corner’ included widening.

Conor Delaney, AE, Laois County Council Roads Section, replied in writing.

“The Road Design Office will arrange to meet with Cllr Conor Bergin on site to assess the junction and identify a solution,” he said.

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The issue was raised at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District in County Hall Portlaoise.