Funding sought for safety works on Laois road

A funding application has been made for work to improve visibility on a ‘blind bend’ on the road outside Portarlington. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins tabled a motion requesting the work at Kilmullen at a recent council meeting. 

He asked “that Laois County Council implement a safety scheme at the blind bend at the junction of the R420 and R424 at Kilmullen, Portarlington.”

Senior Executive Engineer, Philip McVeigh, said “Laois County Council has applied to the Department for funding low-cost safety improvement works at this junction under the 2024 works programme. The works would involve the removal of the existing fence line and setting back the fence and hedge on a new line to improve sightlines at the junction.”

Cllr Mullins explained that the bend in the road was located between Monasterevin and Portarlington. 

“From Monasterevin to Portarlington if you want to turn right into the Old Bog Road you have to edge your car out into the middle of the road,” he said. 

Mr McVeigh told the councillors that the council has an agreement with the landowner who  would be impacted by the work. 

“If we don’t get funding we will probably do it anyway,” he said. 

Fine Gael Cllr PJ  Kelly described it as a very good motion and said he was delighted to hear there was an agreement with the landowner. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran seconded the motion which was raised at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.