Kildare residents demand action over smells from ESB poles

ESB Networks has come under fire for not tackling smells from poles to be used by the utility.

Cllr Fintan Brett criticised the "ongoing nuisance of odours” coming from within the Kill area.

He said that a layer covering is needed to remedy the smells and added “the ESB is making huge profits.”

He added: “I can get the smell in Johnstown, never mind up in Kill.”

He told a Naas Municipal District committee meeting that covering the poles is “a simple solution.”

Kildare County Council official Noel Hopkins said the council has engaged with the EPA and a report has been issued identifying the ESB Networks (ESBN) pole storage yard at Oldmilltown, Kill as the main source of the creosote odours. The HSE referred this report for independent review by the Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), whihc is part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

“This review concluded the available monitoring data indicates the odours do not exceed environmental or public health thresholds and pose no significant risk to health from ambient exposure.”

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KCC has scheduled a meeting with ESBN “to discuss possible mitigation measures, implementation timelines, and ongoing monitoring arrangements” and ”it’ll continue to engage with ESBN, the EPA, and others to ensure appropriate actions are taken to reduce odour impacts on residents in the area.”

Mr Hopkins said the company was requested not to move the poles in high temperatures or when the wind carries towards residential areas.

He pointed out that the site where the poles are kept measures 45 acres.

He also said the number of creosoted poles on the site is decreasing.

Cllr Brett countered that it is not necessary to cover the entire site and only newly creosoted poles need to be covered for a period.