Residents launch petition amid road safety fears at Laois junction

Ballybrittas residents compiled a petition with over 140 signatures to get action to improve safety at a dangerous junction. 

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan and Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins both brought motions to the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District in relation to the Farmhouse Cross junction in Bellegrove, Ballybrittas. 

Cllr Phelan asked “that Laois County Council examine junction safety at Farmhouse Cross in Bellegrove. It currently presents a serious traffic hazard as vehicles stopping at the junction cannot see ongoing traffic from the left-hand side. Local residents wish for this matter to be resolved as a matter of urgency.”

Senior Executive Engineer Tom Drennan said “the Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District roads office will collaborate with the Road Design Section in Laois County Council and assess the junctions existing priorities. If any proposed changes to the junction are deemed warranted a Road Safety Impact Assessment would be required and would be subject to available resources depending on extents of any proposed amendments to the junction.” 

Cllr Mullins also asked in a motion about the junction. He asked  “that Laois County Council consider a request from local residents to change the priority of a road junction in Bellegrove, Ballybrittas at the farmyard cross in the interests of road safety. Over 140 local residents have signed a petition supporting this request.” 

Mr Drennan said the Council would assess the junction. “If any proposed changes to the junction are deemed warranted a Road Safety Impact Assessment would be required and would be subject to available resources depending on extents of any proposed amendments to the junction.” 

“It really does need looking at from a safety point of view,” said Cllr Mullins. He told the meeting he had visited the location and traffic coming out of the junction towards Ballybrittas was coming onto a blind corner. 

Cllr Mullins urged the Council to listen to the concerns of “the 140 locals who travel the road every day. Their judgement on this should be taken into account.” He said they were the ones who have to deal with the risk. 

Cllr Phelan said the issue arises for traffic heading towards Ballybrittas at the T-shaped junction. “You are totally blind,” said Cllr Phelan. 

“The residents are adamant that this needs to be looked at and looked at urgently,” said Cllr Phelan. 

She explained that the petition contained “signatures from people on all stretches of the road” who need action taken. “At the moment it appears they are not safe,” she said. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy said he was in total agreement. He told the meeting that he knows the stretch of road and suggested an “all stop” junction at the location. He too said there was genuine concern at the location. 

Mr Drennan said he was in agreement with the councillors when it came to improving road safety he would liaise with the roads design department in relation to the matter. 

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