Accidents every two months at Laois village, meeting told

Accidents are regularly occurring on a road leading to a Laois village. 

“I fear the longer we leave it the worse it is going to get,” Independent Cllr Ben Brennan told a recent council meeting. 

“We are having accidents every two months on the bad turn because they are coming into the village too fast,” he explained. 

Cllr Brennan tabled a motion asking “that Laois County Council give an update on the safety measures being put in place in Killeshin village on the R430.”

He said the issue had been ongoing for ten years and he claimed it is only when someone is badly injured or killed that approval is given for projects. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said something has to be done with the road as it is very dangerous. 

In response to the motion, Acting Director of Services, Paul McLoughln said:  “The Road Design section of Laois County Council have conducted speed and  topographic surveys which have informed the design for the traffic calming measures in Killeshin village. The design is being referred for an independent road safety audit following which an application for funding will be made.” 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins asked why such an Independent audit was required. 

Senior Executive Engineer, Philip McVeigh explained that it was “standard procedure” in such instances. 

The matter was discussed at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.