'Very strange arrangement' road into Laois housing estate

The entrance road to a Laois housing estate built during the Celtic Tiger is a "very strange arrangement" a local councillor has complained.

Rinnuccini on the Dublin road is fronted by rows of three storey redbrick houses facing the main road and a car showrooms. 

Residents exiting the estate for Portlaoise town centre are forced to turn left instead and go around Kilminchy roundabout.

Cllr Marie Tuohy has called on Laois County Council to review the traffic management, in a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"This is a very strange arrangement. There are 130 houses and apartments in Rinuccini beside a busy garage. They have to exit to the left. You often see cars reversing to get in. It is busy and confusing as well," she said.

Cllr Willie Aird seconded her motion.

"I can't make head nor tail of it. We need a representative from the planning office to come in here and say how they granted it," he said.

Cllr Thomasina Connell gave it her support too.

"It is described as a spaghetti junction. The entrance and egress is practically impossible. Drivers are forced to go left to the roundabout to get to town," she said.

She queried how the upcoming cycleways plan for the Dublin road will affect the junction.

Director of Services Simon Walton told her that a scheme was approved for the road in 2008 or 2009, but building it depends on funding.

"it involves traffic management and adjusting of kerb lines. A cycle track will feather out around the Killeshin hotel and concludes at Kilminchy," he said.

Cllr Tuohy repeated that Rinuccini is a strange arrangement.

"There are dangers, particularly for people coming back up the Dublin road who might not be that familiar with it," she said.

Road at famous Laois tourist site needs 'immediate fix'

The council's road designers have agreed to examine the current traffic arrangement, and to meet Cllr Tuohy on site, to examine the extent of the issues at the junction.