Call to remove parking spaces at Portlaoise parish church
Laois Fianna Fáil councillor reluctantly asks for parking free zones
A Portlaoise councillor is asking Laois County Council to remove some parking spaces outside SS Peter and Paul's church, but with reluctance.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has requested the council to take away spaces beside the gates to the church carpark on the Stradbally Road.
"I don't want to ask for spaces to be removed, but it's impossible to exit, there is no sightline.
"Cars are parked right up beside the gate, both gates. If somebody is trying to drive in, the traffic gets backed out. If they had the space to pull in it would help. But the biggest thing is there is no sightline coming out. It's a safety issue
"A lot of elderly people have asked me about this," Cllr Fitzgerald said.
Her motion was tabled to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, seconded by Cllr John Joe Fennelly.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan supports it too.
"A lot of our mass goers are elderly," he said.
In response, Portlaoise Municipal District officials will now examine the sightlines for drivers exiting the church carpark on the Stradbally road. They will also carry out road marking work to improve the area.