Call to switch right of way on Laois town's main street

The right of way for traffic all along Main Street in a Laois town could be reinstated, if a councillor's request is approved.

Drivers on the one way street in Portlaoise currently have to stop and give way to traffic entering from Church Avenue, at the town's new library. 

The mystery of why this happens was explained by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, as she calls for it to be reversed.

"It used to always be given to Main Street traffic. The reason it was changed was because of the primary schools on Church Avenue, to allow children to be collected.

"I am aware it will slow traffic a bit, but some people drive right through anyway and don't take heed of the stop sign," she said.

She has tabled a motion to the April meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District asking Laois County Council to consider moving the Stop sign back to Church Avenue, and give Main Street traffic the right of way.

Cllr Fitzgerald adds that road safety however be given priority.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconds her motion.

"Every time I drive on Main Street I wonder why it hasn't the right of way," he said.

Cllr Willie Aird meanwhile urged the council to "hurry up and take down the barrier" around the almost finished new library.

"People have suffered a lot," he said.

Laois County Council in reply said they are "amenable to the request" and will give further details in coming months.

'No places whatsoever' in Portlaoise primary schools

It is six years since three town centre schools vacated buildings on Church Avenue and the Borris Road to the new Holy Family campus in Aghnaharna in 2017.