Laois lesson to be learned from cracked Celtic Tiger path

A failing Rathdowney footpath installed during the Celtic Tiger shows that contracts should not always be given to low bidders.

That’s the view of Cllr John King, Fine Gael, who tabled a motion at a recent meeting with Laois County Council officials.

He called on the council to replace the damaged high footpath with a lower one from the edge of Rathdowney, (Doherty’s cross) to the local cemetery. He also wants the local authority to provide public lighting for people using this path to get to the two housing estates nearby.

He said the path was installed just over a decade ago.

“The boom was on and there was good work done and bad work done,” he said.

He suggested that the council should not automatically award contracts to the lowest bidder some of whom would have been paid ‘serious money’ during the Celtic Tiger era.

“Some of the builders would have tendered low (during the boom),” he said.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, supported the motion. 

Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, replied in writing.

“Footpath repair works are proposed at this location. Public lighting infrastructure will also be provided for in this area,” he said.

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Cllr King welcomed the commitment given at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in County Hall, Portlaoise.