Mast plans on main Portlaoise to Abbeyleix road appealed over fears structure could fall onto N77

Plans for a  24 metre high telecommunications mast off the N77, the main Portlaoise to Abbeyleix road, have been appealed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) over fears the structure could fall onto the busy road. 

The TII outlined their serious road safety concerns to An Bord Pleanála this week. 

Vantage Towers Limited was granted planning permission by Laois County Council to remove the 15 metre mast currently at site and replace it with a 24m lattice telecommunications support structure on a 1.2 metre high raised foundation. The site is in the townland of Colt, approximately 2.8km north west of Ballyroan. 

In its appeal the TII said the new mast is 'significantly taller' and that 'the replacement mast on such a limited site, with or without road verge, presents a risk that the mast may fall onto the N77.' 

They said the development has the potential to compromise the safety and efficiency of the national road network at a location where a 100km/hr speed limit applies. The appeal said TII considers it essential that ensuring structural integrity of this mast on this heavily trafficked national secondary route needs to be addressed before any development in the interests of not only road safety but also safety of the public. 

The TII also called out Laois County Council over the lack of a technical examination and said there were unresolved road safety risks. 

"TII considers that the development as currently proposed, located on a national road where the maximum speed limit applies, would endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard and obstruction of road users due to the subject site's location, access arrangements and the height of the proposed structure," the appeal stated. 

"Unfortunately, the planning authority assessment of the subject proposal does not appear to have had regard to national road network requirements. 

"The proposal has the potential to fall onto the N77 and the process required to ensure this does not occur has not been addressed by the planning authority despite the submission of TII and Laois County Council road authority colleagues."

 
In their application to the local authority Vantage Towers Limited said a grant of permission will allow the much-needed technological advancements to be completed in this area. 

"The structure will significantly improve Vodafone 4G coverage with the addition of 5G services. It shall help eliminate coverage blackspots particularly along the N77 and shall make a significant  positive contribution to the benefit of residents, businesses, and social enterprises in the surrounding area as well as to the local road network," the company said.