Car smashed through ditch at Bog Road junction on Laois N77 road

The question of just who is responsible for repairing a roadside fence after a car crash, has been clarified at a Laois County Council meeting.

Recently a car smashed through a ditch at a junction to the N77 national road between Portlaoise and Abbeyleix. The junction was with the L2715 Bog Road to Ballyroan village. 

It has left farm animals possibly able to escape from a field onto the busy road.

Cllr Barry Walsh tabled a motion to the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking Laois County Council to repair the green and white bollards that marke the junction.

"This is a busy road. People find it difficult to see the junction when it is foggy or there is heavy rain. It's important to get it fixed," he said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly asked him "did a car go through the ditch at the junction?" and Cllr Walsh confirmed so.

Cllr Fennelly asked the council at the meeting who is responsible for repairing the boundary.

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"Livestock could get out on the road," he warned.

Area engineer Wes Wilkinson said that "ordinarily, it is the landowner".

In reply to the motion, Mr Wilkinson said the bollard will be replaced.