Laois speed limit cut planned on Abbeyleix to Portlaoise road
Laois County Council is going to try to reduce the speed limit of the main road out of Abbeyleix to Portlaoise, but it won’t have the final say.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly has brought a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, following his alert to the April meeting of Laois County Council.
He asks the council to extend the 50km/h speed limit on the Portlaoise road in Abbeyleix, under the current review of the urban speed limits.
“We’re asked to rezone council land for residential on the Portlaoise road. It doesn’t make sense unless there is a 50km speed limit there, to a minimum.
“There are 50 or 60 houses on that road between Heritage House out to The Island. I think it should go the whole way out. But if we can get it out past the land we’re being asked to rezone I’ll be very happy with that,” Cllr Fennelly said.
The council’s road design section has agreed to propose the speed reduction.
“Laois County Council will seek to change the speed limit as requested, noting that in law, any such change to this speed limit requires the approval of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland,” they said.
Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion, agreeing “it doesn’t make sense for the amount of houses in that area”.