By Joe Barrett

The council’s Portlaoise District roads department is to carry out an examination of the surface water drainage system at Bridge Street after concerns were raised that it could potentially cause slip hazards for footpath users in the area.

The Cathaoirleach of the district council cllr Barry Walsh raised the matter at their January meeting and called on the council to review the rainwater drainage system at the location.

He said: “The existing drainpipes are drained through surface channels in the footpath instead of normal underground drainage pipes. This causes potential slip hazards for footpath users.”

He said the issue was highlighted to him while he was taking part in the recent Make Way Day.

He said: “I sent a report in the matter to the engineering department about this as well. When the water ponds there, especially in freezing weather conditions it could obviously cause a slip hazard.”