'Urgent defects and cracking' of footpaths in Portlaoise housing estate

Footpaths have cracks and defects in two large Portlaoise housing estates, with Laois County Council warned that people will trip if they are not urgently repaired.

Cllr Barry Walsh, Fine Gael is calling for repairs in Rossdarragh and Rathevan, after meeting residents and walking around the estates with them to see the damage.

He is warning of "trip hazards", reporting urgent defects, cracking and damage to footpaths and drainage gullies by tree roots. 

He tabled a motion about it to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"I met the residents' associations and walked both estates. There is a significant amount of cracks and trip hazards. I highlighted one to Wes (Wilkinson, council area engineer) that needs urgent attention. 

"There are issues in estates throughout Portlaoise. This is particularly bad, and it's going to get worse. I can see cracks in areas of entrance at each house," Cllr Walsh said.

His motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald who has called previously for a standalone budget to repair footpaths across Laois.

"Some parts are very dangerous. Now with a new Government I hope you can write and put the pressure on to give us an allocation to do paths.

"It's getting worse and we've nothing, a drop in the ocean. I hope we can write to the new Minister. I'm talking to other councillors across the country, it's the same thing," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

In reply, engineer Mr Wilkinson said he will meet Cllr Walsh at Rossdarragh and Ratheven and "examine priority areas of footpaths and gullies requiring maintenance and repair".