Lorries passing within feet of schoolchildren walking in Laois town

The nature of road safety works being suggested for a Portarlington junction were queried by a local councillor. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins asked in a motion: “That Laois County Council provide traffic calming measures on Lea Road in  Portarlington to slow traffic and also to indicate when the previously agreed traffic controls will be installed near the junction with Lea Road, Lough Gate and Canal Road.”

In a written response, Senior Engineer, Roads Section, Paul McLoughlin said: “Laois County Council will arrange for a traffic survey and speed assessments to be undertaken on the Lea road in Portarlington to inform assessments and potential future designs for traffic calming.

With regard to the junction of Lea Road, Lough Gate and Canal Road, a topographical survey of this junction has been undertaken. The Active Travel Section have indicated that this location is on their proposed list for a Junction Tightening Scheme in 2025.” 

Cllr Mullins said “we will be actively keeping an eye on that” and he questioned the response in relation to the junction tightening scheme. 

“Junction tightening is an entirely different animal,” he said. He said the planned work follows a discussion he recently had in relation to the narrow footpath at the junction. 

“Trucks are coming in on Lea Road to go down Canal Road and they are within two feet of pedestrians and kids going around the corner to school,” he said. 

Cllr Mullins said the junction tightening scheme was planned to work there and that it had nothing to do with traffic calming. 

“I am going to have to take that up with Paul. It is a separate process altogether,” he said. 

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan seconded the motion. She said the issue was raised several times when she was canvassing the area with Cllr Willie Aird. 

The issue was discussed at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.