'Engineering solution needed' to prevent winter flooding of Laois road

A lack of funding has halted progress on road improvement plans for Cloncanon, outside Mountmellick.

Laois County Council have said that they cannot proceed with resurfacing the road until drainage works are carried out to prevent future flooding.

Mountmellick has historically experienced intense bouts of flooding, including the particularly heavy flooding of 2017.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken requested an update on the progress of road resurfacing made in Cloncanon so far.

"There are severe draining issues in Cloncanon, Cllr Bracken," Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council replied.

"We're looking at getting drainage works done first, prior to the resurfacing. If we begin resurfacing without prior drainage works, we're back to where we were with the road in poor condition. We have spoken to contractors, we are looking to get this drainage work done first, Mr Dowling said.

Cllr Bracken was unhappy with this response, arguing that this issue has been 'going on for months' with no progress.

"My concern is that we allocated funds for the resurfacing of the road, it's in an awful state. I have spoken to you [Mr Dowling] about this before. There is likely extra money needed, but we're now in September and still nothing has been done. I am very disappointed in this," Cllr Bracken said. 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Seamus McDonald agreed with Cllr Bracken that this is a 'very serious issue'.

"We are looking at the issue, the funds that we have aren't sufficient enough to carry out the full length of works," Mr Dowling responded.

"The council can carry out the drainage works. As you know from being out there, all of the surrounding fields are higher than than the road, so we would have to look for an engineering solution to possibly drain the road," he said.

"So it is being addressed," Cllr McDonald answered.

"No, it isn't," Cllr Bracken hit back.

"It's promised to be addressed, it hasn't been addressed yet. I'm pointing out that it's going on from last May, and nothing has progressed since. We are in September and we still have no progress," Cllr Bracken finished.

This matter was raised at a September sitting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick municipal district of Laois County Council.