More bollards wanted in Portlaoise to stop GAA fans parking on path

Yet more timber bollards as well as double yellow lines have been requested for a Portlaoise road at Laois GAA grounds, in an attempt to stop match goers parking dangerously.

The Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise already has over 300 of the controversial timber bollards, installed as part of a €4 million road safety upgrade in 2023. 

They are aimed at stopping the many cars who park on verges and in estates for national GAA matches in O'Moore Park. The wooden posts have been unable to eliminate the problem however, as cars manoeuvre around them.

They have become a source of complaint themselves, along with the deliberate narrowing of the road by the National Transport Authority, to make it easier to cross for pedestrians.

Now more bollards are requested, because illegal parking remains a problem, this time at the entrance to the Powerscourt housing estate.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan tabled a motion to the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"On match days the cars are on the foopath and cycle lane. Residents' views are obstructed. They can't see pedestrians or cyclists," he said.

He also tabled a motion asking for double yellow lines along the entrance road into Abbey Court, for the same reason.

"The residents' frustration is around match day. Cars are parking in the entrance and views are obstructed. It is particularly tight at the bend, if an ambulance or a fire brigade had to go up," he said.

Read also: Storm destroys mature trees in Portlaoise housing estate.

Portlaoise Municipal District engineer Wes Wilkinson said that he will meet Cllr Mulligan on site to identify the spot for a new bollard. 

He also agreed to paint the double yellow lines in the area around the entrance to Abbey Court, which will make parking there permanently illegal.