No pedestrian crossing for kids walking to Portlaoise GAA grounds
After years of requests by local councillors, a footpath has been installed from Portlaoise town to the busy GAA grounds.
However the busy road remains unsafe because of one big catch, it cannot get a pedestrian crossing leading to the club.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald raised the issue in a motion to the Portlaoise Municipal District's recent meeting.
She asked Laois County Council to amend bye-laws to change the speed limit on the Rathleague Road.
“I'm disappointed. It says a speed limit review group has been established by the Minister. This could go on for a long time.
“You could bring a special case to review it. It has been done. Just for one particular area. It's such an important issue. You've done a fabulous job there, we need this crossing,” Cllr Fitzgerald said.
Her motion was seconded by Cllr Willie Aird who recalled that a near fatality happened on the road in recent years, when a vehicle veered into the verge where a pedestrian was running with no path at that time on the Rathleague road.
“It was nearly a fatal accident. You’ve done such a fantastic job. The bottom line is, we cannot leave the road the way it is.
“If we're encouraging people to come ot the end of the footpath opposite the entrance, how can we stand over people crossing there?
“We know about the bye laws but when you've a situation where you've changed the road for the better, and then say to people put in your own arrangement to cross the road, it’s not good enough.
“I’ve seen ramps, flashing cameras and all the signs on a road like this past The Rock primary school,” he said.
Director of Services Simon Walton gave some idea that a crossing might be permitted.
“This is a critical final piece in the jigsaw,” he agreed.
“The scheme that has been completed now gets a Stage 3 safety audit. I brought your comments to the team and asked them to consider them. The audit will be done in early May and then we can sit down immediately and consider the next steps. It may or may not address this issu. It if doesn’t it could be an issue for bye-law on speed limits,” Mr Walton said.
Cllr Marie Tuohy supported the request.
“I know this road very well, I am on it regularly. The speed is scary. I’m nervous looking at the kids. It’s just urgent and exceptional. It has to be treated that way,” she said.
“I agree, you can’t have people walking on a lovely path and then have no crossing,” Cllr Barry Walsh added.
The R425 Rathleague Road speed limit It is currently set at 80km/h, meaning a pedestrian crossing is unsafe to place.