Urgent need to combat speeding near Laois train station
Cllr Conor Bergin highlighted road safety concerns at Ballybrophy Station
Something needs to be done to tackle speeding on the road near a train station in Laois, a local councillor has urged.
Speaking at the November meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick MD, Cllr Conor Bergin called on Laois County Council to address the speeding and traffic issues on the Station Road in Ballybrophy as a matter of urgency.
Cllr Bergin said that Irish Rail "significantly increased” the amount of car parking spaces at the Ballybrophy station in recent years, with over 90 spaces there now.
However, he noted “there was no provision for traffic calming at all” despite the increase in traffic.
Residents in the area reached out to Cllr Bergin regarding their concerns with the road safety issues there.
Unfortunately, Laois County Council said the L5610 road does not qualify for traffic calming measures under the adopted Traffic Calming Measures Policy as the speed limit is greater than 50km/h.
However, the MD Office will carry out a speed survey on the road and will consider the provision of additional road markings and signage. This will be subject to available budgets and resources.
Cllr Bergin pressed for the Council to carry out this survey and then send the findings “straight back to Irish Rail.”
With the station attracting the traffic to the road, Cllr Bergin believes Irish Rail must play a part in finding solutions.
He called for the Council to arrange a meeting with Irish Rail as many councillors have raised motions over the past year which relate directly to them, but there is “no engagement whatsoever” from Irish Rail.
Cllr Bergin said he has tried contacting them on numerous occasions but he “is at nothing.”
Cllr John King and Cllr Ollie Clooney both supported the motion, arguing that the speeding on the road should be tackled immediately.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme