Laois policing meeting told works on busy road an 'utter disgrace'

The Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise was branded an “utter disgrace” at a Laois Joint Policing Meeting earlier this month. 

Public Participation Network(PPN) member Tom Jones said cycle lanes on either side of the road had made it too narrow. 

“The way they finished the Abbeyleix Road, it is an utter disgrace. It is too narrow,” he said. 

Mr Jones said one cycle lane would have been enough for the road. He also stated that cars coming out of estates and turning towards Portlaoise end up crossing over traffic. 

“In order to come into town you have to drive into the face of oncoming traffic and there is cycle lanes on either side of the road,” he claimed. 

Meanwhile, Public Participation Network(PPN) member Bobby Delaney said laybys should have been installed when works were being carried out on the road between Moutmellick and Portlaoise. 

“My biggest fear is a bicycle on that road…a bicycle on that road is lethal,” he said. 

Mr Delaney said in his opinion “bicycles are very dangerous on all rural roads.” 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran expressed her belief that all rural roads should be widened to facilitate cycle lanes. 

“We are calling for cycle lanes going two kilometres from every school yet no money is allocated to it,” she said. 

Cllr Moran said “if you want kids to cycle you have to make it safe.” 

She believed cycling lanes should be introduced on rural roads in the interest of safety.