More than consideration needed for ‘chaos’ at Laois school

Laois County Council must do more than consider work that is 'urgently' needed in Killadooley at the school and creche which is beset by traffic chaos every day.

That’s according to Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, who called on the local authority to take action when he tabled a motion at a recent meeting where his party colleague Cllr John King urged parents driving 'high powered cars' in a 'magical hurry' to slow down.

In his motion, Cllr Bergin called on County Hall to take action to solve the traffic problems at Killadooley NS and creche in the interest of safety and welfare of schoolchildren and their parents.

Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, replied in writing.

“Resurfacing works are proposed in the village of Killadooley in 2023. The road marking scheme will take into consideration the traffic & pedestrian movements adjacent to the school,” he said.

Cllr Bergin welcomed the resurfacing but wants greater commitment on safety and traffic management around the school and creche. The parish church and Community Centre are also located closeby.

“I would hope that we would do more than just take it into consideration because it is a very important issue,” he said.

Cllr Bergin said he had been asked to raise it in public with officials.

“It’s a rural school with over 100 students and a creche that covers a wide area but it is extremely busy and there is a chaotic situation,” he said.

He said that apart from speaking with people he had seen the situation for himself claiming that upwards of 150 cars converge every day.

He said people are traveling on narrow roads from a number of directions especially the route from the Green Roads.

“There has to be a solution looked…parents are expressing their frustration to me about the traffic every morning,” he said.

He proposed options must be looked at. 

Speaking on the matter Cllr John King, Fine Gael. While acknowledging the traffic was ‘crazy’ he called on people to be responsible.

“Maybe if the parents drove easier. All these mams and dads in high powered cars are in a magical hurry…A message may have to go out that the parents should drive easier or come to school sooner,” he said.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent,  also supported. He said 2.2km is due to be resurfaced in the vicinity and agreed that safety is paramount and action is needed. He concurred with Cllr King that people need to be slowed down.

Spate of house burglaries in Laois under investigation

The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in County Hall, Portlaoise.