Traffic lights set to replace extra roundabouts on 'nightmare' Portlaoise road

A main Laois road described as a "nightmare" could soon be getting multiple sets of traffic lights to try and make it safer.

The Mountmellick road in Portlaoise looks likely to get three sets of traffic lights instead of a once recommended three extra  roundabouts.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley has revealed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the outcome of a meeting that she and six other Laois councillors had with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and senior Laois County Council staff this week.

The two hour meeting came after years of councillors' requests to meet TII officials face to face and stress the need to upgrade and build national roads in Laois. As well as the Portlaoise northern relief road, and the Mountmellick bypass, it includes the Mountmellick N80 road in Portlaoise.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

The narrow and busy road which has almost no cycle paths, serves thousands of homes and heavy traffic. Cllr Dwane Stanley recently labelled it "a nightmare" to drive onto from side roads. 

It was recommended some years ago to get three more roundabouts, by consultants hired by Laois County Council, on Harpur's Lane, the Ballyfin Road and Greenmill Lane. However the TII later requested a new study also taking in JFL Avenue. 

While not yet published, Cllr Dwane Stanley understands it contains recommendations for traffic lights. She is not happy.

"My whole reason was to prioritise the upgrade of the Mountmellick Road, modelled on the Abbeyleix Road. I explained that traffic from the N80 goes straight into Portlaoise instead of turning right (on the western circular road). We made the case.

"We were told that the feasibility study being done by Laois County Council is still awaited by the TII. They are saying that once they get it they will fund the works. They will put their own mark on it, but the council is recommending traffic lights.

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"I have serious concerns. It's roundabouts that's needed. While it's good news that work will happen, I don't see traffic lights succeeding. What if they spend all this money and then have to take them back out?" she said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley understands that the plan will also include cycle lanes, "though I don't know where they will put them" on the narrow road. She hopes that public consultation will take place during this year on the plan. 

Recently Cllr Paddy Buggy tabled a motion suggesting traffic lights as a cheaper option for the road, an idea slammed by Cllr Dwane Stanley as "the cheap end of the market".

Laois County Council also said at that meeting in February that a draft plan was complete.