Another speed traffic ramp coming to large Laois housing estate

A traffic calming ramp is going to be installed to slow speeding traffic in what is the largest housing estate in Laois.

Kilminchy in Portlaoise has more than 1,000 houses and apartments, with more in construction.

Portlaoise Municipal District Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley has asked for a ramp or for traffic calming, along the straight “spine” road into Kilminchy, near the commercial area of Kilminchy Court.

“This ramp is as you come in the entrance off the Dublin road. The residents asked for a ramp there. It’s not near any houses. There is one ramp there already but there is a gap between that and it’s just to slow traffic down.

“There’s a lot of young people there, crossing the road.

“I have put it down for my discretionary funding. I’m bringing it to the council meeting to make sure it’s in agreement with everyone before it can be done. It’s badly needed,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

She tabled her motion to the district’s October meeting, where it was seconded by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

In reply, district engineer Seamus Quinn confirmed that the Portlaoise MD office is going to install the traffic calming ramp.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh also asked for an update to his motion requesting a speed ramp beside the Sue Ryder retirement village in Kilminchy.

Kilminchy is also planned to get an extensive outdoor play and amenity zone near the same Kilminchy Court area, with plans by Laois County Council recently out on public display receiving a mixed response from residents.