Good news for Laois town 'waiting years' for road repairs

Laois County Council have announced that they hope to soon begin their road improvement works in Mountmellick.

Road improvement works on Parnell St in Mountmellick have been held up for several years, while Laois County Council waits on Uisce Eireann to complete waterworks.

This has left both locals and Laois County Council waiting 'years' for Uisce Éireann to complete these works.

Pictured: Parnell St, Mountmellick. Photo by Google Maps

"Parnell St in Mountmellick has been held up by Irish Water for the past couple of years, they are meant to be coming at the end of April to start the waterworks, and will hopefully be gone by the end of July," said Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick district engineer Rory O'Callaghan.

"We can undertake these works if Uisce Éireann get their works done," he said.

These watermain infrastructural works are due to take place on Parnell Street and Sarsfield Street in Mountmellick.

This issue was raised by Mountmellick Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken in October 2024, who asked for updates on Irish Water's progress.

"It's in an awful state, we are long promised an upgrade," he said.

"Last year it was to be done, the road was held, and the year before.

"Nothing has been done. I hope going into 2025 that Irish Water deliver. The whole street is breaking up. It's in a shocking state. I'll keep after it and ask you to follow up," Cllr Bracken finished.

His motion was seconded by Cllr Seamus McDonald.

"It is all collapsing," Cllr McDonald claimed.

This motion was tabled at a Special Meeting in March of the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District of Laois County Council.