Action needed at dangerous junction near Laois GAA grounds
One councillor described it as the "most dangerous" junction in the area
Council engineers will examine a “dangerous junction” near a Laois GAA Club grounds.
Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan asked for road safety measures at the road during a recent meeting.
She asked in a motion “that Laois County Council will install traffic calming measures on the approach road to Killenard, from O'Dempsey's.”
In response, Senior Executive Engineer Tom Drennan said “Laois County Council will arrange to meet with the Elected Member on site to review and identify the area and will arrange for a technical assessment to be carried out.”
Cllr Phelan said “I think it is the most dangerous junction in the whole area.” She said people who aren’t local tend to come “flying” in on the approach and residents are quite concerned.
Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins seconded the motion. He described it as a “blind bend” in the direction of Killenard and said “your view is very restricted on the left hand side. You have to go across the centre of the road before you can see the traffic coming down from Portarlington.”
He also said the Mount St Anne’s Crossroads closer to Killenard also needed to be upgraded in the interest of safety.
Mr Drennan noted the junction was the subject of a previous motion to be considered for the road safety scheme for 2026. He said he would meet with Cllr Phelan at the site and he explained that ramps would not be considered as an option at the location. He said they would be suitable normally in an urban area but he would look at signage options.
The issue was discussed at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.