Call for half-century dangers at Laois crossroads must be solved
Council told road has been risky since the era of the horse and cart
County Hall must tackle a dangerous crossroads near Durrow after 50 years of appeals for action, a county councillor has insisted.
Cllr Ollie Clooney, independent, made the appeal at a recent meeting at County Hall in Portlaoise. He tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to implement safety measures at Moyne Cross.
Cllr Clooney said his predecessors on the council Eamon Rafter and Sean Jacob tried to have it made safe but nothing was forthcoming. He accepted some safety measures had been taken but more is needed.
“It is going on for 50 years,” he said.
Cllr Clooney insisted on action.
“The time for talking is over, we want action,” he said.
Cllr James Kelly endorsed his independent colleague and warned of the potential for a ‘fatal accident’.
“Since the horse and cart was out this bend was always a problem,” he said.
He said he had also tried to have measures taken in 2015 but co-operation was not forthcoming from a landowner.
“It’s one of the busiest roads in the county,” he said.
He called for land to be purchased via a compulsory purchase order to allow for safety works to happen.
James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer, in the council’s Roads section, replied in writing that council staff would meet with Cllr Clooney on site to discuss the provision of safety measures.
The issue was raised at the July meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.