'Cheap' traffic light solution shot down for 'nightmare' road in Portlaoise

Traffic lights on junctions of a busy road in Portlaoise suggested by one councillor, have been immediately shot down by others.

Meanwhile Laois County Council has an update on the TII's plans for the "nightmare" Mountmellick N80 road.

Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Buggy tabled a motion to the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, suggesting what he said would be a "more cost effective solution" than the three roundabouts which are recommended by traffic consultants at Harpur's Lane, Greenmill Lane and the Ballyfin Road, but still awaiting state funding years on.

The N80 Mountmellick road serves the highest number of homes in rapidly growing Portlaoise. However it is also heavily used by traffic passing through the town, causing difficulty for local drivers trying to enter the road, and danger for cyclists and pedestrians crossing roads.

"Everyone is fully aware how busy the road is, particularly in the morning and evening. This would ensure that people living along the road can have priority instead of the passing traffic. It will make it safer for pedestrians and be a more cost effective solution than roundabouts," Cllr Buggy suggests.

He guesses that it will take €1 million to install three roundabouts, making them "cost prohibitive".

"I'd rather spend it on footpaths. Traffic lights would alleviate the problem for locals and that's our priority, people trying to get to work. Roundabouts don't always work, you could still be waiting ages at a junction," he said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded but said she "won't be accepting second best" for a road where she lives.

"I support the merit of the motion to get access onto the road, but I don't support traffic lights. I drive it every day, it's a nightmare to get on to from the Ballyfin road. You rely on the good will of someone to let you out. 

"I know they call it the town of roundabouts but they keep traffic moving. Despite the new bus service it's actually got worse. The whole way into town is absolutely crazy," she said.

"We can afford it for the Abbeyleix road, the Borris road, the Dublin road, the Mountrath road, but not Mountmellick road? I won't be accepting that. I won't be settling for the cheap end of the market," she said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan predicts that traffic lights would delay traffic even more, while Cllr Marie Tuohy agrees with Cllr Dwane Stanley.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said "whatever helps at this stage".

"People are blue in the face. I'd prefer roundabouts but I'd accept traffic lights. We're at this years. It is top of the agenda for the Portlaoise area, along with the Northern Orbital Route," she said.

Cllr Buggy said he is disappointed to hear that traffic lights are considered "the yellowpack roundabout and not very effective".

"They are a way to control traffic in congested areas," he insists.

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Laois County Council roads designers report that they are engaging consultants who are to provide a Feasibility and Options report for the N80 from Fairgreen to Peter and Pauls church. This review of the longer stretch of road was requested by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who will foot the bill for any upgrade.

That report is about to be completed and will be shown to the councillors.

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Simon Walton is Director of Services and the council's rep to Portlaoise Municipal District.

"Anything we do is subject to approval by the TII. We funded the report as we were required to do. we have the draft now and we reviewed it. We are still in dialogue with the TII and ORS consultants with comments of our own on the report. We are due to meet again on February 18. 

"Whatever the intervention, we all want a safer environment. This gives us an opportunity to address this," Mr Walton said.