Warning signs sought on Laois road where fatalities have occurred

Speed warning signs have been requested on the road approaching Portarlington where fatalities have occurred. 

Fine Gael Cllr, PJ Kelly, said the stretch of road has seen fatalities over the years. 

He tabled a motion asking  “that Laois County Council erect speed warning signs on the Portlaoise Road into Portarlington from Blackhall Bridge similar to those between Ballybrittas and The Old Pound.”

“Over the years a couple of fatalities have taken place there,” Cllr Kelly told the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting. 

He described the speed signs between Ballybrittas and the Old Pound as “brilliant” and said a similar approach should be taken on the Portlaoise Portarlington Road. 

Senior Executive Engineer, Philip McVeigh, said “Laois County Council will arrange for a speed survey to be carried out on the R419 Portlaoise Road into Portarlington. This will assist in identifying the most appropriate location for speed radar installations on this road.”

Cllr Kelly said there is a group of 28 houses in that area who are looking to have road safety improvements in the area. 

Sinn Fein Cllr, Aidan Mullins, said he fully supported the motion. He said the speed signs were badly needed. 

“It is a straight stretch of road from either direction,” he explained. 

He seconded the motion at a recent meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.