Laois pole crash causes call on council to act
A crash involving pole has led to a call on Laios County Council to tackle speeding on a road in the Aghaboe area.
Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, tabled a motion at a recent meeting with Laois County Council officials calling on the local authority to address the speeding issues on the R434 at Springfield, Clough as a “matter of urgency”.
He said the stretch in question is located between the M7 and M8 motorway bridges.
“There was an incident recently where a telecom pole was damaged. It is a narrow stretch of road,” he said.
He added that sharp bends in the vicinity also raise the risks.
“We don't want to see any serious incidents,” he said.
Cllr John King, Fine Gael, backed him. Citing recent tragedies on roads he said the focus must be on reducing speed.
James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer, Road Design Office replied in writing.
“Laois County Council Road Design will carry out a speed survey at this location. Following the results of the survey they will investigate the need for intervention measures in light of the Department of Transports recently announced proposal to reduce the default speed limits on secondary, urban & rural roads.
The issue was raised at the September meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.