Unreal traffic causing chaos at big Laois school

A cycle lane in Mountrath would help tackle the parking and traffic chaos at the town’s secondary school, a councillor has claimed.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, believes part of the solution can be found if the council invests in Patrick Street.

He made the case for the spending in a meeting with Laois County Couty Council officials in County Hall.

He tabled a motion calling for the local authority to carry out a survey “to provide a cycle route for the safety of all” under the Active Travel Grants Programme.

He believes that there is potential for a cycle lane due to the street’s wide width. He said Patrick St is wide and very busy as it’s used by truck toll avoiders but is also busy with people going to Mountrath Community School.

“The amount of school traffic is unreal. There is no roundabout and no extra parking. It is just pure chaos outside the community school…cycle tracks would alleviate,” he said.   

Diarmuid Donohue, S.E.E., Active Travel, replied in writing.

“The Active Travel funding allocation for 2023 does not cover the delivery of a scheme at Patrick’s Street, Mountrath. The active travel engineer will consider the location as a potential future scheme,” he said.

Cllr Kelly responded that he was disappointed that there was no money in 2023. However, he added that he had not expected the council to carry out this year. He said the survey could be completed as soon as possible.

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Laois is getting €3.3 million in funding in 2023 under the Active Travel programme which aims to people out of their cars and using bicycles and walking as part of Ireland’s climate action strategy.