Laois village branded a 'death trap'

A Laois village has been described as a 'death trap' due to speeding traffic.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran asked in a motion  “that this Council give an update on the speed report that was carried out in Killeshin. Also please include the cost of the report.”

In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer at the Road Design Office, James Dowling stated that: “A speed survey was carried out in Killeshin by the road design section in July. The road design section is currently investigating traffic calming measures for this location and will provide an update once a proposal has been developed.  There was no financial outlay to a third party  for the survey as Laois County Council staff and equipment was utilised to undertake the survey.”

Cllr Moran complained that it was taking a long time to get safety work carried out in the village. 

“KIlleshin is a death trap with the speed of cars going through the village,” she said. 

“Something has to be done on this soon,” she remarked. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said he was looking for something to be done at the village for 13 years. 

“There is over 150 houses, there’s an entrance into two soccer fields, two GAA pitches. There’s a school with over 400 kids in it,” he said. 

“It is an absolute and utter disgrace what is happening,” he said. 

Cllr Brennan said the village “can’t even get a pedestrian crossing” installed. 

He claimed vehicles are travelling at over 70kms per hour through the village. He predicted a lorry would go into a house along the road.

“Then there’ll be no problem getting money to do it,” he said.

“Why do we have to wait for someone to be badly hurt?” asked Cllr Brennan. 

“Two months ago a car came around that turn and ended up in…. field. Only that there was someone there on the spot and got them out of the car, someone was going to be dead,” he said. 

“It is going on too long…Everywhere else can be sorted out but this can’t,” he said. 

Cllr Moran asked whether Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII) were involved with the road. She was informed that they weren’t. 

“Someone will be killed in it and then it will be done quickly,” she told the meeting. 

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Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming seconded the motion.