Pole in middle of roadway finally to go

The ESB is to remove a pole from its dangerous location in the middle of a road leading into a housing estate in Athenry, Co …

The ESB is to remove a pole from its dangerous location in the middle of a road leading into a housing estate in Athenry, Co Galway.

Locals have been calling for the removal of the pole since it became part of the road leading into the Caheryan Crescent estate, as well as the local health centre and funeral parlour two years ago.

Two months before the last local elections, Galway County Council carried out works to widen the road leading into the estate.

However, the ESB pole, which had been to one side of the old road, was now directly in the middle of the newly widened stretch, causing a traffic hazard.

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The residents called for the pole to be removed, but instead bollards and diversion signs were erected to stop motorists from crashing into it.

Almost two years down the road, the ESB pole is still there.

The pole is right outside Patrick Conneely's house.

He explained that people attending funerals had to drive around the pole, as did the many patients visiting the health centre.

"We were told that it would be only a matter of time before it is moved, but it's now two years later."

A spokesman for the ESB in Dublin said this week that it had recently received a request from Galway County Council to have the pole removed. He said it would be removed in a matter of weeks as it had become part of the ESB's work schedule.

Michelle McDonagh

Michelle McDonagh

Michelle McDonagh, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about health and family