Removal of overhead power cables sought for this Kildare region
It was claimed by a local representative that the matter has been raised ‘several times over the years’
The removal of overhead power cables has been sought for one County Kildare region.
The idea was put forward by Fianna Fáil councillor Brian Dooley at the latest Athy Municipal District meeting, which took place on Monday, October 12 last.
He initially raised the subject during the early stages of this meeting, when he motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to ‘request a survey to be carried out by the utility providers in Athy regarding the removal of all overhead cables’.
Cllr Dooley also told KCC that he wanted the cables to instead be placed underground and in ducting, in an attempt to ‘enhance the streetscape’.
His motion was seconded by Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin.
In response to Cllr Dooley’s request, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “The Transport Department will engage with utility providers as part of the overall scheme to enhance the public realm on Athy’s main thoroughfares.”
KCC also told Cllr Dooley: “Surveys will be completed as part of any future engagement on the delivery of this project.”
Speaking further on the matter, Cllr Dooley told KCC that he believed the suggestion to remove overhead cables in Athy had been raised ‘several times over the years.’
He added: “This shouldn’t be up to KCC [to sort out], it should be up to the utility providers.”
Following Cllr Dooley’s comments, the Mayor of the Municipal District, Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh, also spoke, and told KCC that he was aware of two telegraph poles in particular that, in his view, should be replaced ‘as soon as possible’.
Replying to both Cllr Dooley and Mayor Leigh, KCC official Mark McLoughlin assured them that he would pass on their comments to the Transport Department.
Funded by Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.