Planning sought to upgrade Laois electricity supply to Portlaoise

An upgrade of the main electricity line between Portlaoise and Tullamore is being planned by EirGrid.

EirGrid with the consent of the ESB, is seeking planning permission from Laois and Offaly county councils, to replace wires and poles along the 110kv line, with 20km of the 21.6km line being in Laois.

The Laois townslands it will run through are Bracklone, Lea, Tirhogar, Rathmiles, Rathleash, Garryvacum, Ballybrittas, Emo Park, Cappakeel, Morett, Greatheath, Ballydavis, Rathbrennan, Ballyclider, Ballymooney, Summerhill or Aghnaharna, Downs, Borris Little, Kylekiproe and Clonminam.

In Offaly the wires are in the townland of Bishopswood and Tinacrannagh.

EirGrid seeks permission to restring the existing overhead wires with new higher capacity conductor wires including a new fibre communication connection, to replace some earthwires, 46 wooden polesets and four steel masts up to 4 metres taller, adjacent to the existing poles, and associated site works and fitting upgrades.

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The Portlaoise substation will receive an upgrade also.

They intend to clear vegetation and temporarily remove gates posts or fences to gain access, and install temporary guard poles, silt traps, stone tracks and temporary water course crossings.

A Natura Impact Statement is part of the planning application to be sent to Laois County Council.