No Formal Arrangement Exists Between Kildare Council And ESB - Resulting In Long Streetlight Repairs

Friday, 21 November 2025 15:48

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News. Got a story? Email news@kfmradio.com

When a light fails, the council files a fault report - and waits.

No formal agreement exists between Kildare County Council and the ESB for fixing streetlights in Celbridge and Leixlip.

This means there is no contract, no targets and no guaranteed repair times.

When a light fails, the council files a fault report - and waits.

In direct-fed estates, the council owns the lighting infrastructure, but still depends on ESB crews for key works.

Where there’s no feeder pillar - a main electrical hub - between the council and ESB, delays could be even longer.

Officials have conceded the district is facing unacceptably long repair times.

They say they will now meet the ESB to push for faster responses and fewer hold-ups.

Cllr Bernard Caldwell (FF) sought clarity on whether or not Service Level Agreements exist between the council and ESB, with the council confirming no formal contracts exist.

A council spokesperson said: "The Public Lighting Section will meet with the ESB to explore ways to improve response times and reduce delays in repairs. The Public Lighting Team acknowledge that streetlights in the Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District are experiencing long repair times, and we are actively engaging with ESB to address this issue."