Pinch points, collapsing wall, bad bends, no markings on Laois road used by trucks
Nothing is done says councillor
Urgent safety work is needed in the Pike of Rushall on a road into the Slieve Blooms that is used by timber trucks and other commercial vehicles.
That’s according to Cllr James Kelly, Independent, who demanded that work has to carried out to make it safe not just for traffic but for the residents who live on the road and face dangers on a daily basis.
He tabled a motion at a recent meeting with Laois County Council where he said that, “as a matter of urgency” the local authority should carry out road safety works at the Tynan and McCormack residence Pike of Rushall”.
Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, replied in writing, that a meeting would be arranged with the Elected Member at the site to review the need for safety improvement works.
However, this frustrated Cllr Kelly who said had made ‘numerous’ calls previously for work to be done on what is a busy road for commercial traffic.
He said residents have been patient but there are pinch points. He said it had been examined previously by council staff but “nothing is done”.
“It is the preferred mountain route for heavy goods vehicles, not just from the timber industry,” he said.
Apart from the pinch points he said an old stone wall at the McCormack residence is in danger of collapse which could result in a bad accident as it is on a sharp bend. He called this wall should be reinforced and the road widened.
Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, agreed that it is busy and the absence of road markings makes it more dangerous.
The issue was raised at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District in County Hall Portlaoise.