Calls for ‘urgent’ progress on Graiguecullen drainage works
A motorist tries to navigate their way through the flooded road at Springhill Road, Graiguecullen
A call has gone out for ‘urgent progress’ on drainage works at Tommy Murphy Park on the Springhill Road, Graiguecullen.
The call by Laois Sinn Féin cathaoirleach Aaron Kelly comes after flooding has become on ongoing issue at Tommy Murphy Park, where it reoccurs outside of the estate on the main Springhill Road.
In a statement, Mr Kelly said the flooding has become a “real hazard” and a serious safety risk to road users, with drivers swerving onto the wrong side of the road to avoid deep standing water.
“This is not a minor inconvenience - it is a genuine danger for local residents, schoolchildren and anyone travelling through the area especially considering the increase in traffic on this road due to the newly built houses in Meadows Way”, his statement reads.
Mr Kelly, who has been Cathaoirleach of Laois Sinn Féin since January of this year, told the that he was first made aware of the issue by residents of Tommy Murphy Park over a year ago.
He says flooding is getting worse as the months go on: “You can see from the pictures that the flood is taking up half the road.” Mr Kelly says he recently contacted the Local Area Engineer in Laois County Council seeking an update.
The council said in reply to Mr Kelly that a CCTV investigation found the existing pipeline “not fit for purpose,” and that the adjoining percolation area “has reached the end of its service life.” According to Mr Kelly, the Council says remedial civil works will be required.
This involves the installation of new piping to connect the road gullies to the storm drain at the entrance to Tommy Murphy Park.
These works are scheduled to begin in the new year, pending the allocation of the necessary drainage budget.
At the December meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District (MD), Cllr Ben Brennan (Ind) proposed that the council resolve the flooding problem outside the estate, which he described as particularly serious at the moment.
Cllr Brennan was informed that the works have been delayed due to the presence of a high-pressure gas main running directly through the area.
Excavation will be required and a specialist from the gas company must be on site to oversee digging for safety reasons.
In a written response to Cllr Brennan’s proposal at the MD meeting, area engineer Tom Drennan said: ‘Laois County Council has carried out CCTV drain investigation, which has revealed that the existing pipeline network adjoining percolation has reached the end of its service life.
‘Remedial civil works are required, specifically involving the installation of new piping to connect the road gullies to the existing storm drainage system, located at the entrance to Tommy Murphy Park.’
The engineer added: ‘These works are prioritised and scheduled to commence early in new year, subject to available resources.’ Cllr Brennan stressed that the work is urgent and funding must be found to carry out the work as soon as possible.
Mr Kelly has also urged Laois County Council to ensure the required drainage budget is allocated as early as possible in the new year, so that works can proceed immediately once the gas specialist is available to ensure safety.
