Laois TD to make representations to Transport Infrastructure Ireland

A local TD says residents living along a national route in Laois are being failed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley says Laois residents living along sections of the N80 are being failed by TII, who he said have refused to put traffic calming measures on crucial sections of this road.

“In the past week I have met residents in both Arles Village and Graigue and Chapel Street, Mountmellick who are extremely concerned about road safety in their localities. I have personally witnessed vehicles travelling way in excess of speed limits and driving in a dangerous manner at both locations,” said Dep Stanley.

He said “TII have not heeded calls from either Laois County Council or local residents in the past to have effective traffic calming and road safety measures put in place on both the N80 at Graigue and Chapel Street Mountmellick and Arles Village.”

“There is an accident history in both Graigue and Arles Village and residents have explained to me the danger they face daily from speeding trucks and cars. In the case of Arles, householders in the village have signed a petition demanding that TII work in conjunction with Laois County Council to put a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the school. There is also a clear need for effective traffic calming at each end of the village along with the extension of the 50km speed zone. It is particularly dangerous for children of Radharc Alainn housing estate crossing to attend the local school,” said Dep Stanley. 

Meanwhile, he said speed limit changes should be introduced in parts of Mountmellick.

“The residents of Graigue and Chapel Street, Mountmellick are being placed in danger from vehicles speeding in from the Tullamore side of the N80. Some obvious measures need to be taken such as, reducing the 100km limit area to 80km and 60km and 50km incrementally as you come closer to the town. Speed flashing warning signs and traffic calming would also help alleviate the situation. An old pathway adjacent to the road could also be reinstated with very little work to allow residents in the Graigue safe space for walking,” said Dep Stanley. 

READ ALSO: Councillors say village 'dying on its feet' due to speeding

“These areas have not got the attention that other towns and villages have rightly been given on the N80 and N77. For example, Killeigh and Stradbally have effective traffic calming at the entrances to their villages and towns, as does Durrow on the N77. I am making representations to TII and to Laois County Council to put together a safety plan for both areas to prevent serious accidents from occurring in the future and to treat these with a sense of urgency,” he concluded.