'Now is the time' for political pressure for Mountmellick N80 bypass

A Laois Fine Gael councillor says political pressure by Laois TDs is the only way to get the Mountmellick bypass built.

Cllr Conor Bergin tabled a motion to the March 31 meeting of Laois County Council to call for action, and he is backed by many other councillors.

"This is going on a very long time. Now is the time. We did a survey in 2020 that found 10,000 vehicles a day, a lot of them HGVs are going through Mountmellick. Particularly since Brexit it is the route from Rosslare.  There is a lot of congestion particularly at Glanbia. It is important that it's on the agenda for the new Government," he said.

He notes that Transport Infrastructure Ireland is responsible, but that the plan is not listed in the Government's National Development Plan up to 2030 so no money can be allocated to the project.

"The only way it can be done is by political pressure. We need to keep it on the agenda. I hope all the councillors support this. It is a major project for the county. It's having an effect on smaller roads because people use them as unofficial bypasses. Money is announced every day of the week, this is something that would make a huge difference. I hope we can get the political will. The state agencies can only fund this if they get approval from Government," Cllr Bergin said.

He noted that Deputy Brian Stanley "in fairness raised it in the Dáil".

"It's up to our TDs now to stand up and make their voices heard," he said.

His party colleague, Portlaoise Municipal District Cllr Paddy Buggy said he works in Mountmellick every day, as manager in the MDA centre.

"This is a critical piece of infrastructure. It is holding back development of the town. The number one topic is the road. I know that Laois County Council is ready to put the wheels in motion. Mountmellick will never be able to develop to its full potential until this is in place," he said.

Mountmellick MD Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken is from the town.

"I am blue in the face raising it. It has to be a political decision. I thought last October when I saw the Taoiseach in Mountmellick with Cllr Aird that it would be inspiring something. The traffic now is up to 12,000 vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I fully support this, let's keep the pressure on," he said.

Read more about 'Mountmellick's deadly unofficial bypass'.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said it is "actually disgraceful" that Mountmellick bypass is not on the latest road list.

Cllr James Kelly said he uses the back roads to avoid the town centre.

"Cars are racing on it to get in front of trucks, there'll be a serious accident or injury on the rat run. This is a joke. Bracken is beating the drum for years. He even asked for laybys and that didn't happen," he said.

It is five years since consultants were hired by the council to examine Mountmellick traffic. They conclude that a double bypass is needed to revive the town. Read more on that here.

Cllr Bergin's motion calls on Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien and the TII to prioritise the delivery of a bypass for Mountmellick. A letter will now be sent to both from Laois County Council.