A Laois County Councillor has slammed the rejection of a proposed roundabout in Durrow, highlighting that there are roundabouts 'every ten yards' in Portlaoise.

Independent Durrow Cllr Ollie Clooney tabled a motion for the installation of a roundabout on the n77 R434 junction in Durrow.

Cllr Clooney also raised issues with this junction at the Council's September meeting, where streetlamps erected almost two years ago have yet to be connected to power by ESB.

Pictured: n77 R434 junction on the Abbeyleix edge of Durrow

The Council's Road Design office informed Cllr Clooney that there are 'no plans' by Transport Infrastructure Ireland or the Council to consider the installation of the proposed roundabout.

"Significant traffic congestion and collisions at the intersection would have to be demonstrated for this to be considered," they replied.

Cllr Clooney was disappointed and frustrated with this response.

"Bad news. When I hear the word TII, you’d have to get depressed," Cllr Clooney said.

"This is the road to the west of Ireland, and there are times in the day where there could be 30 to 40 cars waiting to exit there. It is needed, and not only would it help the Swan road, it would also slow down the traffic there that’s coming in way above the speed limit," he said.

"I don’t see any Garda cars and I certainly don't see any speed vans there, they’re all off in the country of course, where the road is wide. They don't come into towns, they could certainly do that as some of the cars passing that junction are doing twice the speed limit," Cllr Clooney slammed.

"It's dangerous. There's a disability view, that fence there is not helping. We have to try keep the fight up," he said.

Pictured: The fencing and signage has obstructed some motorists views of oncoming traffic

"Certainly a roundabout is needed. We see roundabouts in Portlaoise every ten yards, and we have a junction that can be very busy at times, and for rural areas there’s no money for it. We’re listening to it, and listening to it, and we’re not impressed. I think this job should be done in the interest of safety, as it’s dangerous at the moment," Cllr Clooney argued.

Mountrath Independent Cllr James Kelly seconded Cllr Clooney's motion.

"I certainly support Cllr Clooney, as you said the junction is the gateway to the west. We must also remember too that the fire service is there, when the traffic is all backed up, the fire service is held up there for a while and they can’t get out either," Cllr Clooney pointed out.

"A roundabout would make sure that the flow of traffic continues on, and there is a visibility issue there as you come down the Ballacolla side, looking up the left side towards Abbeyleix. The fence is an issue. As it was mentioned, we have roundabouts all over the place in Portlaoise, we could do with one in Durrow as a matter of urgency and road safety," Cllr Kelly finished.

Cllr Clooney thanked Cllr Kelly for his support, stating that it is 'necessary' works.

This motion was tabled at the October sitting of Laois County Council's Borris in Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.

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