Public lighting so poor Laois residents navigating streets with phone lights, meeting hears
The issue was raised during a recent council meeting
Older residents navigate their way from Stradbally Library using the light from their mobile phones, a council meeting was told.
Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan called on Laois County Council to review of lighting around the Court Square area of Stradbally.
She tabled a motion on the matter at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.
She asked: “That this Council prune back trees at Court Square, Stradbally and review the lighting in this area to ensure public safety for library users at nighttime.”
Senior Executive Engineer, Philip McVeigh said ”the Area Office will arrange to have trees pruned back in consultation with the landowner and will liaise with the Council Public Lighting Section re. the public lighting in this area.”
Cllr Phelan thanked Mr McVeigh and explained that “a group of older residents meet once a week in the library.”
“They are trying to use the light on their phones to see where they are going,” she remarked.
Cllr Phelan said “fantastic work” was being done in the library and she encouraged everyone to visit it.
Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy agreed with Cllr Phelan. He seconded the motion at the meeting.