Accident involving wheelchair user in Laois town prompts call for action 

There have been calls to carry out work on Stradbally Main Street where a wheelchair user was recently involved in an accident. 

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan asked in a motion “that Laois County Council review the tactile paving at Main Street, Stradbally and make adjustments as necessary to ensure wheelchair users can safely pass”.

In a written response, a Road Design Engineer stated that:  “Road Design will engage with the TII(Transport Infrastructure Ireland)  on this issue. A full assessment will be carried out. All possible funding sources will be explored.”

Cllr Phelan was unhappy with the response. “There was a recent accident with a wheelchair user at this site,” she explained. She expressed concern about the potential delays involving TII and said she didn’t believe it was a big job. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy also queried the involvement of TII. He said there were a lot of wheelchair users in Stradbally.  “It needs to be done. It needs to be done straight away,” he insisted.  He asked Senior Executive Engineer Tom Drennan to look at the issue. 

Mr Drennan said he would contact the Road Design Engineer but he believed TII may need to be involved as the work is on the national N80 road. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said wheelchair users are “entitled to fair play” and action needed to be taken. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said the Council should be allowed in the interest of safety to step in. 

“Should it not just be taken on and done by Laois County Council,” she asked. 

Director of Services Julie Bergin said she believed the Council had to engage with TII in relation to the matter. 

Cllr Phelan said “maybe you might mark it urgent for Road Design”. 

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