Safety fears expressed over pole located ‘in the middle’ of busy Limerick road
“YOU WOULDN’T see it in The Simpsons,” said an exasperated Cllr Liam Galvin as he highlighted a utility pole which is located “in the middle” of a road in Abbeyfeale, Limerick.
Cllr Galvin raised his concerns during a discussion, at a Newcastle West Municipal District meeting, on the number of public lights that are not working and the length of time it takes to replace them.
“We have spent €300,000 on a footpath in the Hill Road - and you wouldn’t see it in The Simpsons - but there is a pole in the middle of the road.
“It is about three feet out from the footpath. Is there a stand-off between the local authority and the supplier (of the pole) to remove it?” asked Cllr Galvin.
The Abbeyfeale-based councillor asked who will be accountable if there is a collision and somebody is seriously hurt or a life is lost.
“Someone is going to get killed. We can’t resurface the road until the pole is removed. It is a bloody disgrace. Who will be held accountable?” asked Cllr Galvin.
Brian Kennedy, director of service for transportation and mobility at the local authority said he will follow up on the matter and will work with the relevant utility provider.
“Drivers will have to take responsibility,” said Mr Kennedy.
Cllr Galvin said what has happened is an absolute scandal.
“I’ll tell you - it will be moved when someone crashes into it,” he said.
Later, Mr Kennedy provided an update on public lighting after councillors highlighted their concerns over the delays in repairing broken or faulty lights at the September meeting.
In some instances it has been over a year, they said.
Mr Kennedy said there are around 24,000 (in Limerick) lights and there are issues with about 1.5% of them.
“We are working very closely with ESB,” said Mr Kennedy.
Cllr Jerome Scanlan said businesses in South Quay, Newcastle West, have been discommoded for years and deserve better than to be in the dark.
“People are reluctant to go out after 6pm / 7pm if it is pitch black because there isn’t public lighting,” said Cllr Scanlan. He said people are paying Local Property Tax and are being left down badly by the providers.
In his contribution, Cllr Tom Rudde said the situation is “ridiculous” and that the bypasses of Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale will be completed by the time some public lights are fixed.
Cllr Michael Collins said it is no fault of anybody in the council and that the service level agreement needs to be reviewed.
Cllr Galvin said years ago when a light was out he rang up and it was done within 10 days. “The system has broken down. It is not acceptable
Cllr Francis Foley said he and his colleagues are receiving complaints every day of the week.
“It will be getting dark at 5pm soon,” said the former Mayor.