Going underground in Port depends on funding

UNDERGROUNDING of overhead cables on Upper Main Street and French Church Street in Portarlington could begin this year but only if funding is available.

A cost estimate for the long-awaited work has been prepared but further progress is ‘subject to available sources of funding’, according to Laois County Council.

The news was greeted with disappointment by Independent councillor Aidan Mullins, who said: “It’s disappointing, because great work was done on the street upgrade but it seems to be delayed now on French Church Street, which would complete the whole streetscape.” 

At the latest meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, cllr Mullins proposed that Laois County Council underground the overhead cables on French Church Street and Upper Main Street, as part of the ongoing street upgrade plan. He pointed out that the proposal, which was seconded by cllr Paschal McEvoy, was similar to one he had put forward at a council meeting last March.

In a written response, senior engineer Philip McVeigh said the county council ‘has carried out a survey of these streets, in terms of the extent and routes of existing overhead lines and the underground ducting and footpath works required’.

The engineer added: ‘A cost estimate has been prepared and this scheme could be progressed, subject to available sources of funding. In the meantime, discussions with the utility providers (ESB and eir) could be progressed to confirm their works requirements.’

Cllr Mullins said he was “a little bit disappointed” with the term ‘could be’ and asked: “Are we able to say what the sources of funding will be?”

Mr McVeigh outlined potential sources such as footpath funding, the active travel programme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Acting director of finance Julie Bergin said that footpath funding would not be available in 2025 but there may be other sources. She added that it would “probably be later in 2025” before the undergrounding works could be done.

After cllr Mullins asked for a timeline, Mr McVeigh confirmed that it would be possible to start the works in 2025 if funding was secured. He said the works in French Church Street could be done separately to the works on Main Street.

Cllr Mullins said the project should be looked at along with the ongoing work on The Square and Market House in Portarlington.

Cllr McEvoy was concerned that the undergrounding works were subject to funding, which he described as “always a red flag” but said he was glad that it appeared that progress could be made.