Politicians 'embarrassed' to canvass in Laois area due to 25 years of neglected issues

Laois County Councillors in Portlaoise have admitted embarrassment over canvassing the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise during election time, due to the lack of progress in the installation of three roundabouts.

Independent Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley tabled a motion requesting an update to the plan, calling for action to be taken after 25 years of fighting for these roundabouts.

"I know for a fact that previous Councillors, including my own husband 25 years ago, raised this issue for the Mountmellick road," said Cllr Dwane Stanley. 

"I don't say too lightly that it really is a forgotten road. It was one of the major things coming up on the canvass trail during election times. On this road you are at the mercy of someone letting you out," she said.

"The whole area is completely built up, one of the most built up in the town. With the new development, you will have more housing there. We know that this road needs to be upgraded. The yellow boxes have helped, but the roundabouts are the only safe way out of estates," she said.

Pictured: The N80 Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise.

"It's just getting busier and it could take you 40 minutes to get from one end of the town to the next. When will the study be ready to go to TII, and what can we do to try and advance this?" Cllr Dwane Stanley asked.

Mr. Conor Delaney, Executive Engineer at Laois County Council, replied that the Road Design section have engaged a service provider to undertake a Feasibility and Options report for the N80 Portlaoise to Fairgreen Scheme.

"The proposed installation of new roundabouts on the N80 Mountmellick Road will be assessed and included as part of this report, in a format required by T.I.I.," he said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley welcomed this reply, but asked for an update 'in simple language' as to what progress has been made.

Simon Walton, Director of Services for Roads, Transportation, Environment, Water Services and Emergency Services explained that this study is ongoing, and must conform with guidelines outlined by TII. 

Mr Walton answered that he would have to check what the latest updates on the feasibility study are, and is confident that the Council will have an update for the April meeting at the latest. 

"Ultimately, once we complete the study, it is a matter for TII then. We are not the decision makers here. They will decide what they are prepared to fund. We are trying to progress this, but ultimately it is a decision from TII.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald slammed this 25 year delay as 'embarrassing'.

"We have been talking about this for years. It's not the forgotten road by local representatives, it's forgotten by the TII," said Cllr Fitzgerald.

"It's embarrassing to go canvassing in the area. What are we supposed to say when we haven't moved an inch," she said.

"Whoever the next Minister for Transport is, I would want a deputation. It is really embarrassing to go down there and hear the unfair things people have to go through down there," she argued.

"People give out about how many roundabouts there are in Portlaoise, but this is the one area that needs them. We have done our best but we have still failed them." Cllr Fitzpatrick finished.

Independent Cllr Tommy Mulligan is from the Mountmellick road, and has argued that it is time to prioritise this issue.

"I am from that road, there have been issues on that road for as long as I can remember," said Cllr Mulligan.

"It has been left behind for God knows how long, at least over 30 years. The TII need to address this urgently, the opinion from people locally is why they are left behind," he argued.

"They really feel neglected, so this is a priority," Cllr Mulligan finished.

This matter occurred at the January sitting of Laois County Council's Portlaoise Municipal District.