Wobbly cobble pavers in Portlaoise 'a trip hazard'

The stone cobble pavers on footpaths in a Laois town are causing a trip hazard, local councillors warn.

Cllr Marie Tuohy from Portlaoise Municipal District points to two particular locations where the modern square pavers are sticking up out of the ground.

She has tabled a motion to the May district meeting, asking Laois County Council to carry out a safety check on the paved paths in Portlaoise town centre, "in particular around the old post office and the corner of Railway Street leading on to Main Street".

"I like the look of them, they do look well, but they can have uneven surfaces.

"They are a problem in the snow and ice too. They tend to get rough. They need more maintenance. These are the obvious areas that need repairs," she said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan seconded her motion.

"They have become a trip hazard. We don't want to leave ourselves wide open," he said.

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Cllr Barry Walsh supported the motion.

"On Make Way Day, when I was pushed around in a wheelchair, I realised that they do cause a hazard," he said.