'Dangerous' Portlaoise tree on roadside set for the chop by Laois County Council
Mature tree 'in the way' of motorists and house extension plan
A mature tree growing on the verge of a busy Portlaoise road is to be cut down by Laois County Council.
It grows on the Crookedy L-2115 road, an increasingly busy road between Fairgreen and the Ridge Road.
Two Portlaoise Municipal District councillors tabled motions asking for the tree to be cut down by the council, at their February 2024 meeting.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said it is causing a hazard, and that a resident asked her for assistance.
"It looks like it's out on the road. There is a very narrow gap if a tractor and a car are coming at the one time.
"There is a house very near it and it has got planning permission for an extension but the tree is in the way. They have removed other trees there, but this one would require a road closure.
"It's not a tree ready to fall, it's just literally growing on the road," she said.
Cllr Willie Aird had the second motion.
"There have been two near misses with this tree since last year. The tree is belonging to Laois County Council. It's right on the corner.
"Trees are beautiful. I love to look at them, to see the changing colours. But a dangerous tree is a dangerous thing.
"This road gets its name because it is crooked. The amount of cars travelling on it now... I ask when the tree is out that as much sight distance as possible is left," he said.
His motion also asked for completion of the cutting of evergreen trees at Liogard estate on the Mountmellick road before March 1, when bird nesting season starts.
The Portlaoise Municipal District office engineers agreed to have the tree cut down, refresh the Ballytegan junction and to liaise with Liogard residents about cutting the trees there.
One big issue is unsolved at Ballytegan on the Ridge Road, however, raised by the Cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.
"My big issue is the water on the road at Ballytegan, it goes from one side to the other. It wasn't included in the roads programme. It's extremely dangerous. This should all be addressed at the same time," she said.