Laois Offaly’s third biggest town likened to the Congo when it comes to bus shelters

A councillor has said the third biggest town in Laois and Offaly doesn’t have a single bus shelter. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins raised the issue during a recent discussion on bus shelters in Laois at a recent council meeting. 

“The third biggest town in Laois and Offaly hasn’t even a bus shelter. You would think you were living out in the Congo,” he said.  

"There is no bus shelter in Portarlington...not one bus shelter," said Cllr Mullins.

The issue arose when Independent Cllr Aisling Moran asked for an update on costings for bus shelters in Laois. 

“I am still waiting on a reply just in relation to the cost of the shelters,” she said. 

Acting Director of Finance, Julie Bergin, said all of the shelters in the county would need to be assessed for such a breakdown. She said it was “not as simple as just putting up a shelter” in many cases. She said the cheaper  options are not always suitable. 

Cllr Moran said “kids are standing at a wall or beside it” and it doesn’t have to be “massive money” to erect a simple shelter. 

Ms Bergin said it was not just about the money and that the locations need to be appropriate. 

“In the areas I am looking at there are areas to pull in,” said Cllr Moran. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said he had engaged with road engineers last year and they had chosen locations. 

Cllr Moran said “this is something that is going on for me anyway, nearly six years.” She said talking about it was getting it done. She noted in Ballylinan a site has been chosen but “they are just not doing it.” 

Cllr Mullins described bus shelters as standard infrastructure and he said it shouldn’t be so difficult to get them approved. 

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The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.