Pedestrian crossing urgently needed near Laois schoool

A Councillor has said a pedestrian crossing is urgently needed outside Cosby National School in Stradbally. 

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan, requested the pedestrian crossing in a motion at a recent council meeting. She asked: “That Laois County Council engage urgently with TII to install a pedestrian crossing outside Cosby NS, on Main Street, Stradbally.”

In a written response, the Road Design Office said “Road Design have engaged with TII(Transport Infrastructure Ireland) and have conducted a site visit at the proposed location. We are currently assessing the various options with a view to progressing works based on a funding application to the TII.” 

Cllr Phelan explained that “parents dropping off children used to use the field beside Dunne’s Pub.” She said the field is no longer available because a housing estate has been built there to cater primarily for older people and “they are unable to get across the road quick enough”.

Cllr Phelan said a very successful after school had also been established across the road from the school in the past two years. 

“There is one existing pedestrian crossing but to access it you have to cross Church Avenue,” said Cllr Phelan. She said Church Avenue tends to congested and difficult to cross during school drop off and collection times. 

“I do think that this is very urgent and it is children’s safety at risk,” she said.

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy seconded the motion. “That is the reality of the situation. There is a current need for that as soon as possible,” he said. 

The meeting was told Roads Design were progressing the matter and would follow it up. 

READ ALSO: Laois TD to make representations to TII

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said “we have to start taking this seriously before there is a death.” 

The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.