Fears for impact of Laois road closure in Portlaoise
Council candidate concerned about Mountrath Road after Abbeyleix Road problems
A Laois local election candidate has raised concerns about the partial closure of the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise after the work on another major route in the town was highlighted to him on the campaign trail in the town.
Dom Dunne said people fear that work on the R445 does not go down the same route as the multi-million overhaul of the N77 Abbeyleix Road.
Mr Dunne said he is hearing on doorsteps about the work done on the N77 in 2023 which saw the road narrowed and new paths and cycle lanes installed. Wooden bollards are a feature of the project.
"People are so frustrated at the way the Abbeyleix Road was finished," he said.
The independent candidate claimed that there was no consultation with the public about the project.
"From what I can see there was no need for two extra wide cycle lanes and timber bollards that in some parts of the road are now being removed because residents can't access their housing estates.
"No emergency vehicles can overtake vehicles if the road is busy because the have nowhere to pull in. There are already weeds and overgrown grass growing between the bollards," he said.
He wanted to know why sitting councillors signed off on the N77.
"I hope they will consult with the residents on the Mountrath Road before they proceed with these road works. People are fed up with this," he said.
Laois County Council has served notice that it intends to temporarily close a section of the R445 Mountrath Road in Portlaoise.
The local authority says the road will be shut eastbound only, from the roundabout at its intersection with Rockdale estate to a point 400m east on the R445 where it intersects with the roundabout junction of the R941 Western Orbital Road.
As for the projected timescale, County Hall's Roads Section says the partial closure will impact between June 4 to September 2.