Councillors 'seeing brown' in Portlaoise over problematic new timber bollards

Portlaoise drivers on the multi-million upgraded N77 Abbeyleix Road are "seeing brown" by the time they get into town, thanks to hundreds of timber bollards lining the road.

The bollards were placed to stop illegal parking, a traditional practice when matches are played at the nearby Laois GAA centre of excellence at O'Moore Park.

However they are causing problems for local residents turning on the road, and are already being knocked over. 

"There's a fierce lot. You see brown by the time you get in there's so many of them," commented Cllr Willie Aird who lives on the road.

Laois County Council Director of Services, Simon Walton agrees that they are not ideal.

"There is a general welcome for the Abbeyleix road upgrade. 

"Our preference was for no bollards. But it is an offence to pull up on a footpath or cycle track, and historically this parking has been a problem on the road. I'd prefer it without them. There's in excess of 300 of them. a few have been dislodged. Some are too close to junctions. Other damage was done. We have been talking to the contractor to remove them for the last three weeks. 

"The road was funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. We're bound to supply a road that conforms to TII standards. 

The timber bollards on the N77 Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise. Photo: Leinster Express

"One of the issues on the old Abbeyleix Road was the lack of footpath connectivity and pedestrian crossings. All that has been addressed. I fully acknowledge that the radius of junctions is giving concerns. We'll take it up with the road safety auditors," Mr Walton said.

He said that a Stage Three audit will be done after all the work is finalised, with some road painting still to be done when the weather improves. 

"Residents have expressed concerns about junctions and we'll pass on that correspondance," he said.

The national road was deliberately made narrower to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The project including resurfacing cost over €2.5m.

However the smaller entrances have made turning difficult for emergency vehicles as well as local residents, according to Cllr Marie Touhy.

It was her motion tabled to the February meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District about the constricted entrance to the Kylebrook Estate that sparked the discussion.

"When you turn left, you have to go over the central white line, and when you turn right now you need both lanes clear. When you're driving in, two cars cannot meet. Irrespective of an audit, it's not working.

"When a fire brigade came they got in but with some difficulties. They had to reverse and manoeuvre in. Those seconds and minutes are vital in an emergency," she said.

"I counted eight bollards there. Two are knocked down, six are damaged, and they need to be on a surface other than clay. It's just not safe. People are worried and stressed," Cllr Tuohy said.

She wasa supported by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and by Cllr Aird.

"I've lived all my life on that road, and they got those two junctions wrong, Kylebrook and Cherrygarth," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh too said his first thought was how difficult it would be to landscape around the bollards.

"They're being knocked now. In Holland they don't use bollards, they use different colours for walking and cycling tracks. Bollards definitely aren't working," he agreed.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald lives in Cherrygarth she said.

"The entrance to the estate and the supermarket are causing problems because you can't exit unless you go the far side of the road. Hopefully removing some bollards will help. the road is a fantastic project and good for walkers and cyclists," she said.