'Near misses' on Laois Offaly town pedestrian crossing

There have been several "near misses" between crossing pedestrians and traffic, in a Laois Offaly town.

The cause is the location of a pedestrian crossing, and locals believe it is in the wrong place.

Portarlington's pedestrian crossing located at the junction of French Church Street and the Link Road, is too close to the junction, says Cllr Aidan Mullins.

He raised the concerns of local people, in a motion he tabled to the November meeting of the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.

"Many pedestrians and drivers are claiming it is a hazard because of its location," Cllr Mullins said.

"I have had complaints that it is too close to the junction. People step out, a vehicle comes around the corner on a blind side. There have been a few near misses.

"A truck driver raised it with me, he said it needs to be set back the length of his truck, so there is room to stop," he explained.

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He also wants a barrier erected on the corner of the footpath, so that pedestrians must walk down to the reposititioned crossing and cross safely.

"People are genuinely concerned that it is too close," Cllr Mullins added.

His motion was seconded by Cllr Paschal McEvoy, Cathaoirleach of the Portarlington Graiguecullen MD. 

In answer, council area engineer Philip McVeigh said that road designers will meet Cllr Mullins at the junction and assess safety measures.