Report on Waterford's public lighting network expected to be complete by early next year

Waterford City County Council is preparing a review of public lighting issues in the county.

Director of Roads Gabriel Hynes told elected members of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council at the October meeting that local authorities are looking at what is needed to upgrade existing light networks.

“That report is being prepared at the moment. I would hope to have it by the end of the year or early next year. 

"That will identify what resources we need to get our underground network up to an acceptable standard,” said Mr Hynes.

The roads director was responding to a query from Cllr Thomas Phelan, who said he was happy to see that the lights lower Main Street, Friar Street and Scanlon’s Yard, Dungarvan, have been fixed.

The councillor said they were out for several weeks, but issues do persist in other areas and reporting them is not made easy by the system in place.

Mr Hynes acknowledged that there were problems on the ground in Dungarvan, but said they are now resolved.

And, he said, there is not an unreasonable amount of lights out around the county.

“Of the 17,000 lights, we have 1.5% out, which is small enough, and you would think from the meetings that we have significant issues with lights at the moment, but we don’t.

He said that given that lights will blow and the network needs upgrading that level is “acceptable” and “reasonable standard.” 

Cllr Phelan also asked about planning for new lights, but Mr Hynes said they would need to sort out existing lights first.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.