OPW responds to request for improved lighting in Laois town
Rathdowney councillor says lighting needed for Ukrainian families going shopping
Improved road lighting has been requested along a road used by Ukrainian families to go to the shops.
Fine Gael Cllr John King sought improved lighting along the road in Rathdowney.
He tabled a motion asking “that this Council install new public lighting from Erkina Court, Rathdowney to Carroll’s Junction, Golf Links Road. All this area at present is very poorly lit and also with the extra Ukrainian families and patrons walking to the shops the lights are needed for security and safety for all.”
The motion was sent to Director of Services with responsibility for Ukrainian affairs, Carmel McNicholl. She forwarded it onto the Office of Public Works(OPW).
A response from Senior Architect, State/Principal’s Architect’s Office, OPW was read at the meeting.
It stated that: “The route (L1558) from the site to the junction with the R436 is serviced by existing public pavement and public lighting. The public lighting standard along the road is consistent with nearby residential areas.”
Cllr King said “you would want to be there at night to see the darkness” along the road.
“At night time, and I know it very well, a lot of people walk up to Dunnes Stores and they do shop in Supervalu as well. There is some lights there but we need an extra five or six lights,” he said.
“Safety for our own people that’s living in Rathdowney but also the new people that’s coming in to live in Rathdowney as well. It is very dark. If you want to see the difficulty and the light that is needed you have to visit the area at night time,” he insisted.
Cllr King said the issue hasn’t been addressed and he wanted the matter revisited particularly in light of the new arrivals, who he said were very welcome in the area.
Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney agreed that additional lighting was required along the road.
“It is very dark there… when you are walking in the dark you don’t feel safe,” he said.
The issue was discussed at the January meeting of Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.