Drainage demanded on Laois N80 for households that have 'suffered enough'

A big investment in roads in Mountmellick excluded drainage to prevent flood hit households being hit by persistent flooding that also causes dampness in homes.

That was the claim made by Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, in making the case for a gully to be installed along the N80 at Irishtown.

The councillor tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to address the lack of surface water drainage along the national route.

He said a ‘great job’ was done resurfacing roads in the town last year but but no drainage gullies exist on a 100-yard stretch that slopes in the direction of the houses. He spelled out the impact.

“When it rains heavily it goes into their yard and causes dampness in their house,” he said.

He said the properties had been flooded badly in 2017 and householders fear a repeat.

“They live in fear of flooding again…I want it addressed as soon as possible,” he insisted.

He said money should not be a factor.

“Those people have suffered enough and it is very unfair,” he said. 

Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer in the Council’s Roads section replied in writing.

“A member of staff from the  Road Design Section will meet Cllr Bracken to review the drainage issue, where a solution is possible a proposal will be developed and submitted to TII for funding,” he said.

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The matter was raised at the April meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District.