'Absolutely crazy' speed limit in Laois heritage town

Speed limits in four Laois towns are planned to be be cut down to 30km, but it does not go far enough in Abbeyleix, a local councillor says.

Durrow, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix and Portlaoise are all planned to get lower speed limits in 2027, because they are all on national roads, the N77 and N80.

The plan is being directed nationally by the Department of Transport.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly from the Portlaoise Municipal District backs the lower limit planned for Abbeyleix but says it will be "absolutely disastrous" if it does not include the Portlaoise road into the town. 

"We had a presentation there recently and I agree totally with the 30km/h speed limit that's proposed for Abbeyleix becuase we all know what's happened in the past.

"Part of Abbeyleix, out the Portlaoise road, there's no change on that. This would be disastrous for the town, absolutely disastrous. We'd need to get the speed limit out past the entrance of the existing fire services. 

"In actual fact, between Heritage House and The Island, there's 64 houses. To say that they want to keep the 80km out that far is absolutely crazy. 

Read next: Construction starting on new Laois fire station with old building offered to community

"As far as I'm concerned, it won't pass unless this is in it. I'm just stating it now. I couldn't see councillors supporting it. I know other councillors in the Portlaoise area have questions as well," Cllr Fennelly said. 

He spoke at the April meeting of Laois County Council, where an outline of the upcoming urban speed limit review was given.

There will be public consultations with affected Laois communities on the speed limit reviews this summer, with the new limits to be in place by March 31, 2027.