Cutbacks to Roscrea's Glebe Park lighting a retrograde step says councillor

IN 2023 Roscrea's Glebe Park received an upgrade to the lighting when suitable lamps were sourced to enhance the attractive town centre space - however, plans to cutback the lighting has angered a local Councillor who describes the decision as 'ridiculous'.

Restoring the lights to their previous state would cost in excess of €20,000 the monthly meeting of the Municipal Council for the Roscrea area heard on Monday.

At the time residents living adjacent to the park were pleased to see the area made safe and assist in discouraging anti-social behaviour at night in the playground portion of the park.

The issue was raised by local Councillor, Shane Lee, who said great efforts were made two years ago to find lighting that would complement the heritage town's local park, which featured three lights per column.

 The local authority has cut the lighting to one light per column, a decision which upset Cllr. Lee who has long highlighted the need to upgrade Glebe Park, with particular focus on lighting.

“We spend a budget of millions and yet here we are letting an important project step backwards”, Cllr. Lee said, also describing the explanation from an Engineer that restoring the lights is too expensive as “ridiculous”.

 The meeting heard the local authority does not have sufficient funds to restore the lights as they were originally installed and the cost would be in the region of €20,000.

That estimate prompted Thurles councillor, Micháel Lowry, to question why replacing what was already there would cost so much/

 “Why would cables cost €20,000? Isn't it the same as wiring a house - one large cable can feed several lights. That cost makes no sense”, he said.

Replacing the removed 15 light heads and installing the required electrical cables would be too expensive the members were told.

Cathaoirleach, Michael Smith, urged the members to work with the Engineers to find a solution. “If we work together it can be resolved”, the Cathaoirleach said.