Accident warning at busy road junction near Portlaoise
Laois County Council is requested to demolish stone shed on Ridge Road
Councillors are calling for demolition of a derelict stone shed to improve safety on the Ridge Road near Portlaoise.
The corner at Ballytegan and Crookedy is made more dangerous by speeding drivers on the Ridge Road says Cllr Thomasina Connell.
She tabled a motion to Portlaoise Municipal District January meeting, requesting a road safety survey of the junction, “where it is unsafe for drivers turning”.
Cllr Connell also wants repainting of the SLOW road markings, and to provide “prompt and practical” solutions to improve the safety of this very busy junction”.
“We've all driven it. The traffic from Mountmellick comes at some speed, especially in the mornings. People use it as an alternative route.
“Where you are coming out and trying to turn, there is a gable wall of an old shed, maybe we need to look at it.
“Is a mirror not possible? Some residents can't even walk on the road. There is a drainage issue as well,” she said.
“There will be an accident, the way cars have to creep out onto the road with traffic coming at such high speed”.
The council says it will repaint the road, and apply for a Safety Improvement Works Scheme.
“The only way to do it is remove the wall,” said Cllr Willie Aird, seconding the motion.
He also asked that the flooding on the road next to the junction be resolved too. That issue was raised in December by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.