TII urged to put pedestrian crossing at Portlaoise cemetery

A pedestrian crossing is to be requested on the N80 road in Portlaoise, at the town's busy cemetery.

Laois County Council has agreed on the need for a button controlled crossing to help people across the Stradbally Road into St Peter & Paul's Cemetery. 

However it depends on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who control national routes.

Cllr Barry Walsh tabled a motion to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"There is a pedestrian crossing further down, but people have asked me if they can get one closer to the entrance," he said.

Cllr Paddy Buggy seconded the motion.

"There is a crossing at Bracken's shop but one at the gate will be very helpful," he said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she and others are on the cemetery committee, and previous requests for the crossing have been made.

"The committee are looking for this for a long time. On Cemetery Sunday, you would have up to a thousand peole coming out at the same time as traffic is going by, it's absolutely lethal. I hope you are successful in achieving it," she said.

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Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald is also on the cemetery committe.

"I welcome this. We've been banging that drum for a long time. I'd also like to thank the council for the work they are doing now, widening the gate and doing pavement works.