Residents left in the dark on public lighting delays

Delays in connecting public lighting is hindering the completion of projects in Ashbourne according to a local councillor.

Fine Gael Cllr Alan Tobin is calling for action to be taken to power new street and traffic lights in the town saying the hold up is “taking the good” out of the introduction of long awaited local amenities.

Residents who fought for a footpath at Baltrasna for over 30 years are in the dark with no lighting or lights in operation at a dangerous crossing despite it being built last year.

“These poles and lights have been sitting there for months now, but we’re still waiting on the ESB to connect them,” said Cllr Tobin.

“We have these lovely projects that are completed or phases completed and yet we can’t use them,” he added.

“Pedestrian crossings have barriers across them, cycle lanes have barriers across them, it is a mess.

“Ashbourne is open for business but the delay connecting power is playing a part in stopping all of these projects coming to fruition.”

Resident Niamh Broderick says locals are thrilled with the footpath but infrastructure needs to be in working order to ensure public safety.

“We waited for so many years for a lovely, new footpath that we have now and that we are delighted with, it was a long time coming, but the delays with getting the lights up and running is very disappointing,” said Niamh.

“It would just make such a difference to slowing day traffic, no one sticks to the speed limit, it’s meant to be 60km an hour but even at that it is still too much,” she added.

“There are a lot of kids cycling on their bikes home from school and it is very unsafe because there are lights installed at the pedestrian crossing but there is a cover over them. Cars are stopping to let the kids across but there is no guarantee they will either.

“It’s kind of like building something and not putting the roof on!”

The lack of lighting on a popular walk way in the town is a cause for concern according to Tobin who said:

“You have this brilliant footpath that goes into a semi-rural area in Baltrasna and half of it is lit but the really busy part where there is a pedestrian crossing, it is in darkness and it is such a shame that it cannot be used safely.

“Trying to deliver projects it is the most frustrating thing, I hope this doesn’t take the good out of what we have done, bringing a footpath to an area that was waiting 30 years for one.

“There is also a little walk way down the back of the community school, I was given a guarantee that the lights would be in operation when the light works were installed but they are still not working.”

Tobin also vented his frustration at the delay of works on the stretch of road from Dunnes Stores to the Pillo Hotel that will see the road overhauled for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

“That project started in December 2021, they are now two years doing a project that we were told was going to take 65 weeks,” he said.

“When it is all finished we will have a lovely cycle network in the town. The roads are being narrowed and that will slow down the traffic and that has environmental benefits, lower emissions, lower noise levels, less accidents and potential for injuries. We just need to get it into operation.

A spokesperson for ESB Networks said:

“ESB Networks received a connection application for this public lighting project in Ashbourne in November 2023. We are yet to receive an update from the customer that the necessary ducting is in place to facilitate the connection, as well as accompanying wiring certificate. Once both the ducting is in place and the wiring certificate received, our crews stand ready to schedule the connection.”

Meath Co Council has been contacted for comment.