Lack of public lighting in Knock estate branded ‘a disgrace’

THE lack of public lighting in a housing estate in Knock has been branded as ‘a disgrace’.

Residents of the Glencarra estate were said to be experiencing ‘pure frustration’ over the lack of street lighting in their estate, which is home to a number of elderly residents.

Mayo County Council is currently identifying funding pathways to upgrade the public lighting in the privately-owned estate, which will come at ‘a considerable cost’.

The Claremorris–Swinford Municipal District have sought a detailed report on the entire development from the council’s Estates Takeover section regarding the taking over of the lights.

Raising the issue at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, said it was ‘totally wrong’ for people to have to pay Local Property Tax without adequate public lighting near their homes.

“Every effort has been made to have lighting turned on. Some of the lighting has been turned on very recently, but in future, Mayo County Council will have to stand up and ensure that lighting is an important part, the most important part, of keeping people safe in the estates,” remarked Cllr Finn who branded the situation as ‘a disgrace’.

Knock-based county councillor Paul Lawless also hit out at the situation, saying: “Many of those residents spent huge money on those houses in the boom, who have been levied with LPT for many many years and yet find themselves in an estate which hasn’t been taken over.”

Cllr Alma Gallagher said that residents felt ‘forgotten about’, adding: “There are many of those estates in the county. They have fallen between two stools. They don’t know where to turn, whether it’s the local authority or the developer.

Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, said the local authority was trying to secure funding to repair the lights through levies.

“It is our intention to carry out repairs and take over the lights,” Mr Harley added.