Road safety scheme to be considered near Portlaoise secondary schools

Laois County Council is to consider applying for cash from the Department of Transport to make a busy junction safer in Portlaoise.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald raised her concern at the level of road safety at the junction of the Rathevan Road, near a motor garage, a large housing estate and the Scoil Chríost Rí and St Mary's CBS secondary school campus.

She tabled a motion asking the council to again seek funding to improve the site, also asking them to look at road markings and safety measures near Plunkett's house.

"A safety scheme has been required for years at Ned Whelan's garage. There is a turn right and traffic has to come out across the road. If you are coming from Derrygarron, there is absolutely no road markings whatsoever, none. It's an open space.

"It's going on for years, I'd appreciate if it could be addressed," Cllr Fitzgerald said, at the December meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. 

The motion was seconded by Cllr Barry Walsh.

In reply, area engineer Wes Wilkinson said he will meet the councillor on site to examine the issues, "with a view to making an application for funding for Safety Improvement Works".