Survey underway following serious speeding in Laois village

Worries have arisen over incidents of speeding in Borris-in-Ossory, leading County Councillors to request urgent traffic calming measures.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin has requested that Laois County Council address the road traffic issues and install traffic calming measures on the Rathdowney Road at St Patrick’s Terrace, Borris in Ossory as a matter of priority.

"I know that Cllr Kelly had a similar motion about the wall there last month," Cllr Bergin said.

"The issue is that over 30 new houses have gone in. It's great to see them go in as the estate was vacant and derelict for about ten years or more," he said.

Pictured: St Patrick's Terrace, Borris-in-Ossory.

"I know Laois County Council have at least 26 of those houses, but there is going to be a lot more traffic on the Rathdowney road. You have St Patrick's Crescent and Slieve Bloom View on the other side of the road," Cllr Bergin stressed.

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"The estates have a lot of houses. The big issue that came up during local elections, and is still coming up now too, is that people are worried about traffic coming in that long straight stretch of road.

"I know it's within 50km zones, but a 30 kilometre speed limit isn't always adhered to. Unfortunately. that is the problem," he said.

Pictured: Deanswood housing estate, Borris in Ossory

"In these estates, a lot of people have gotten houses from Laois County Council and they are living there with young families. We have footpaths going in for where people will be walking to school. It's great for the village, but just unfortunately with the road comes speed too," he said.

"It is somewhere I will be looking to prioritise for traffic calming as soon as possible," Cllr Bergin finished.

This motion was seconded by Independent Cllr James Kelly.

"I will second that notice of motion on account of safety at Deanswood housing estate," Cllr Kelly said.

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"This is going to be very important, and the survey will show that from Tullamore into Borris-in-Ossory, the speed on that road is just outrageous," he said.

"We have spoken for a long time about the famous traffic lights on the Ballybrophy railway station bridge, they hold them up for a while, or sometimes they don't bother stopping. It's a serious issue, and once the survey comes in, we can act on it straight away," said Cllr Kelly.

"I don't see why we can't put a ramp in there, because it's a busy road. We should be able to put ramps in all of our built up areas and our towns," Cllr Kelly finished.

Pictured: Slieve Bloom View, Borris in Ossory

Mr. Paul McLoughlin, Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council, replied that a speed survey will be carried out.

"This scheme is located within the 50kmh speed limit zone," said Mr McLoughlin.

"The Municipal District will get a traffic and speed survey carried out. A traffic calming scheme will be designed and costed, if required," he said.

"Funding for the scheme will be provided from either a low-cost safety scheme application to the Department or from the MD discretionary grants," Mr McLoughlin finished.

This motion was tabled at a February sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.