Lack of lighting raised with MKMD by Glynn
A plea that Hillview in Mullingar be included in this year’s public lighting LED upgrade programme was made by Cllr Ken Glynn at the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad’s February meeting.
The official written response from the district stated that its transportation department has asked the public lighting contractor to undertake a design to upgrade the public lighting network for the Hillview Estate.
“When received, this matter will then be further considered within the context of both the Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Programme (PLEEP) and the Public Lighting Maintenance Programme for 2024,” the reply concluded.
The reply was welcomed by Cllr Glynn, who said he had been in touch with the transportation section about the estate, and also about a number of other locations with lighting issues, including Chestnut Drive.
However, he continued, he had been made aware that some of the older-style lighting stock around Mullingar is failing, and in cases where more than a simple fix is required, these are not being repaired due to a change in health and safety practices by the ESB: “My concern is that it’s going to see lights in some estates throughout the town out for considerable periods of time,” he said.
He asked that the executive look into a solution.
Support came from Cllr Denis Leonard, who suggested that the county council’s transportation special policy committee examine the issue, and the question of how the new LED lights should be rolled out: “One of the biggest fears people have, and we’ve all experienced it, is dark streets at night,” he said.
Director of services Deirdre O’Reilly undertook to discuss the matter with the transportation section to determine what strategy they propose.
Hawthorn Crescent
At the same meeting, Cllr Glynn asked that Hawthorn Crescent be included in this year’s footpath works budget. The response from the executive stated that the district would consider footpath works in Hawthorn Crescent as part of the 2024 estimates subject to funding.
Ashfield
A flooding issue at Ashfield was also raised by Cllr Glynn: he said drainage works are required on a green area there that is constantly flooded, and was informed that drainage would be considered at the estimates, subject to funding.
Gainstown
In Gainstown, attention is needed at a location where ongoing flooding between two properties has created a situation where the walkway surface has become unsafe to use, Cllr Glynn told officials.
The district undertook to examine the drainage issues at that location within four weeks to determine if works are required.