Celtic tiger Laois street in darkness over lighting problem

A Laois street built during the celtic tiger construction boom has been found to have "extensive" street lighting problems that will need a road closure to sort out.

Jessop Street in Portlaoise is home to the Midlands Park Hotel, originally the Heritage Hotel, with both the street and hotel built in the 1990s by a Laois property developer.

The street was taken in charge by Laois County Council over a decade ago, making the council responsible for its streetlights and services.

Laois County Council has this December confirmed that it is has to close the road in January to fix the streetlight problems.

At times the entire street is in darkness due to malfunctioning streetlights, raising crime concerns for residents.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley had tabled a motion asking the council to fix the lights, that she says continuously break again within weeks of repairs.

In reply, the council said it has received costings to fix the lighting issues at Jessop Street.

"Extensive civil works are required here with a temporary road closure needed. These works will be carried out in the first week of January," the public lighting official said.

"I am glad to hear there is a bigger problem there. Every time a light is fixed, in weeks it's gone again. Sometimes the whole street, from the hotel to the dentist. Sometimes it's half the street. Residents are living in the area. There is a carpark there as well. It's very dark. It's a street I drive down every day. This December I drove down at 3.30pm and lo and behold, all the lights were out. 

"Some residents have the lights turned on outside their properties. I understand that we can't have the road closed before Christmas," she said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion.

"It's quite dangerous with all the functions that go on in the hotel. I look forward to the work being done," she said.

Cllr Barry Walsh agrees.

"I had reported a couple of the lights. It will be great to have this resolved. I believe there is anti social behaviour in the area. When there are no lights, that doesn't help. This should be brought before the new Local Safety Partnership meeting," he suggested.

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Cllr Paddy Buggy said that residents had also approached him to ask for action.

"There is anti social behaviour and I would like something done on the speeding cars. Last week in Portlaoise a huge amount of lights were not working around the town. Maybe that is why Laois County Council is making energy savings, but I'd prefer lights to be working," he said.