Designs being drawn up for new crossing in Laois village

Designs are being drawn up for a new pedestrian crossing in Ballybrittas. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins requested the measure at a recent council meeting. 

He asked in a motion “that Laois County Council provide traffic calming measures in Ballybrittas and install a pedestrian crossing in the village.”

Cllr Mullins said it was an ongoing issue which had been raised on a number of occasions by councillors, including former councillor PJ Kelly but “progress has gone very slow” in relation to a crossing. 

He said the crossing was “badly needed” and he hoped there wouldn’t be delays due to funding. 

In a written response, Senior Engineer, Roads, Paul McLoughlin stated that: “The Road Design Section have carried out traffic counts, speed surveys and observed pedestrian movements in Ballybrittas. The information was gathered to inform the assessment process and designs for a potential calming scheme and pedestrian crossing location. Designs will now be progressed and subjected to an independent Road Safety Audit, following which, an application for funding can be made.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy said all of the councillors had been contacted by a very good residents association in Ballybrittas in relation to the crossing. 

“There is only one shop and you have to cross the road to get to that shop,” he pointed out. He described it as a “very dangerous” and fast road and said the crossing was badly needed. 

The issue was discussed at the November meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.