Women feel 'nervous and unsafe' on Laois walking route after incident with walker

Women in Portlaoise have said the lack of lighting on a popular walking route in the town makes them feel very "nervous and unsafe."

The section of road between Junction 17 and Portlaoise Rugby Club in Togher is a very busy stretch which sees a lot of traffic from vehicles and pedestrians. Safety concerns with lighting on the road have been highlighted by local Councillor Tommy Mulligan.

The Portlaoise councillor called on Laois County Council to install street lighting on the road following a number of complaints from mainly women who walk there.

He pointed out that a lot of runners and walkers use this road and it has seen increased traffic with the new walking track at the rugby club and the nearby Togher Woods. 

"I've been contacted by a few people, mainly females, who just find that stretch of road quite nervous and quite unsafe particularly in the evening time when it's getting dark," Cllr Mulligan told the council at the March meeting of the Portlaoise MD.

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He also noted that an incident occurred on the road recently which demonstrated the need for more lighting.

"Unfortunately, there was an incident there as well recently where a lady was followed on that stretch of road. It just highlights the importance of it."

In addition to concerned pedestrians, residents in the area have also called for public lighting on the road.

Cllr Mulligan explained: "A lot of the residents are elderly and they're apprehensive about walking as well as driving there."

Laois County Council's Road Design team recently met with Cllr Mulligan on site at Portlaoise Rugby Club and the existing public lighting was assessed for the whole area.

Road Design have arranged to meet with the public lighting contractor in the coming weeks and assimilate a full design review of the public lighting.

They said that all options will be assessed and the contractor will provide a costing for installing new lights at this location.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme