Laois residential estate 'nearly pitch black' from new streetlights and growing trees

The combination of growing trees and new LED streetlights has left a Laois housing estate "nearly pitch black" in the evenings.

A Laois councillor who lives in Esker Hills estate in Portlaoise is calling upon Laois County Council to cut back trees.

Cllr Thomasina Connell tabled a motion to the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking for the trees to be pruned "as many of the lights are being overshadowed by the foliage".

"I'm not even going to bring in the issue of lighting. This motion is about trees. It is problematic for a lot of residents. It is nearly pitch black walking on Laurel Drive into the housing estate. It's something that can be done regarding the lighting issue. We have raised problems with the lights but we are getting no hop from the council," she said.

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Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded.

"I definitely know one elderly couple used to prune the trees themselves. They did great work for years clipping the trees on the way in," she said.

Laois County Council has agreed to prune back trees around the streetlights before the end of March.