'You're just guessing' signs blocking driver view at Laois road junction - Cllr Barry Walsh
Drivers exiting onto a busy rural road are ‘just guessing’ that no traffic is coming, according to a Laois Fine Gael councillor.
Road signs placed at the wrong height near a Laois crossroads are causing a visual obstruction for drivers, a Laois councillor reports.
Cllr Barry Walsh, currently Cathaoirleach of both Laois County Council and Portlaoise Municipal District, is asking the council to assess the height of signage at Cashel Cross junction between Ballyroan and Portlaoise.
He tabled a motion to the June meeting of Portlaoise MD, ahead of their AGM.
“This is concerning signage when you come from Ballyroad towards Portlaoise at Cashel Cross. A lane is at a lower level below the signage.
The signage might seem fine but when you’re coming out of that lane, it’s blocking your view. “Traffic is coming at such speed towards Portlaoise, sometimes you’re just guessing to see if there’s a car coming or not. If you’re coming to the crossroad at speed sometimes reaction time could be slow,” Cllr Walsh said.
In reply the Portlaoise MD office say they will meet him on site to view the issue.
Outgoing MD Cathaoirleach Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconded the motion, while Cllr Tommy Mulligan spoke in support.
“I agree that low signage is obstructing views. We also have it around Portlaoise here, particularly at some of the roundabouts. I’ve brought it up before and I have to go back to roads (staff) again with it. I hope we can address it here too,” he said.
Cllr Paddy Buggy added another location to the request, this time on the N80 Portlaoise to Mountmellick road.
“At Kyletalesha coming out onto the Mountmellick Road, your view can be blocked because of the height of the signage as well. Maybe it’s something we look at in general around the area,” he suggested.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agrees.
“It’s a serious issue we need to look at around the area. There’s numerous complaints about vision being blocked by signs,” she said.