Big change demanded at ‘chaotic’ key junction in Laois town where sewage fell out of truck

One of the busiest junctions on the main road linking Laois and Offaly needs traffic lights, a Laois councillor has demanded.

Just weeks after human waste spewed all over the streets and buildings in Mountmellick, Cllr Paddy Bracken, wants action at the offending junction that could radically change the town's traffic flow.

The Fianna Fáil councillor wants Laois County Council to work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on a new plan for the N80 junction of Market, Pearse and Parnell streets.

He tabled a motion at a recent meeting in County Hall call on the council to work with TII to provide traffic lights to control on the N80 at what is known locally at Glanbia/Smyth’s Corner.

The bypass is not listed on the TII capital investment plan. In the abscence of a commitment to deliver an n80 bypass, Cllr Bracken insisted something else has to be done.

“I raised this issue because there is a huge volume of traffic at the N80.  It is chaotic from midday on and especially at evenings. There is also a road safety issue for pedestrians,” he said.

Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer Roads, replied in writing.

“Laois County Council will review the current operation of this junction and consult with TII with regard to the appropriate measures to best serve the operation of this key junction within the town of Mountmellick,” he said.

Commenting on the reply, Cllr Bracken said he hoped there would be progress.

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 Apart from chronic traffic problems, there have been numerous traffic incidents at the junction. The most recent of these happened in early 2023 when human waste escaped from a sewage truck travelling through the town. The faeces ended up on the walls of buildings and was strewn on the street surface.

Cllr Bracken made the traffic light proposal at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District Meeting.