A new bridge has been installed in Laois

The newly installed pedestrian bridge at Green Mill Lane in Portlaoise

placeholder image — The newly installed pedestrian bridge at Green Mill Lane in Portlaoise

The pedestrian bridge is part of wider works to improve safety along a busy Portlaoise road

A new pedestrian bridge which should improve safety for cyclists and walkers has been installed beside a busy road in Portlaoise.

The new pedestrian bridge is located beside the existing road bridge over the River Triogue at Green Mill Lane a short distance from the junction with the Ridge Road.

Although it was installed on Wednesday, July 17, work has yet to be completed on the bridge which is expected to be opened to the public within the next three weeks.

The installation of the bridge is part of wider safety works being carried out along Green Mill Lane.

Despite being a small road, Green Mill Lane connects two very busy routes in the centre of Portlaoise, the N80 Mountmellick Road to the Ridge Road.

The council has been working to improve safety along the road which is narrow in parts. Laois County Council purchased a house on the junction to the Ridge Road, enabling them to widen the road to two lanes and add a footpath.

They have carried out bridge abutment works, relating to the base of the historic stone bridge.

A Road Safety Assessment carried out by the council in 2022, recommended eight safety measures for the road:

1: Improve visibility at the junction of Green Mill Lane and N80 and Ridge Road and at roadside accesses along Green Mill Lane.

2: Provide traffic calming along the road between the N80 and Triogue Manor.

3: Provide raised controlled pedestrian crossings on Green Mill Lane and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings at accesses off Green Mill Lane.

4: Provide cycle facilities on Green Mill Lane, ensure facilities tie in conveniently and safely with the paths along the Triogue River.

5: Provide a footpath along eastern (Ridge Road) end of Green Mill Lane, with a crossing to the footpath on Ridge Road, however, this problem should be considered in conjunction with associated issues relating to this section of road and the solution should deal holistically with all deficiencies identified on this section of road.

6: Consider provision of an alternative cycle/pedestrian route through the Triogue Linear Park onto the Ridge Road.

7: Prohibit HGVs by placing a 3.5-tonne limit on Green Mill Lane at the east side of the access to Dunnes Stores deliveries entrance and at the junction with the Ridge Road.

8: Reconfigure tactile paving and carry out repairs to footpaths and utility covers.