Plans revealed for work at Portlaoise 'nightmare' road junction
A dangerous junction in Portlaoise is on the way to being fixed, with a pat on the back to Laois County Council this week for its "win-win" action.
The council recently bought the bungalow on sale at the junction of Green Mill Lane and Ridge Road, where up to now, cars were hemmed in by stone residential walls and forced to take turns on the bendy two way road which has no footpaths.
Their plan is two-fold, to widen the junction, and put a family on the housing waiting list into the home.
Work began rapidly and Laois County Council has this week confirmed what they are doing.
"The initial phase of the works is being undertaken to set back the boundary and make some minor alterations to the recently purchased property. This work will improve visibility and secure necessary land for future improvement works, while enabling the property to be tenanted at the earliest opportunity.
"It is intended that a footpath, pedestrian bridge and if possible a pedestrian crossing will be delivered in future phases," engineer Paul McLoughlin reported.
His report is a response to a motion tabled by Cllr Willie Aird to the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
"When this house came up for sale I asked the council to please buy it. This is a win win situation. It's the first time in my life we've got an opportunity to do something here.
"We took down the old stone bridge there because it restricted the flow of traffic, that probably wouldn't be allowed these days. This has been a nightmare for everybody using it. Even now there is already great visibility. You can see people on bikes and pedestrians and act accordingly.
"A walkway inside the bridge works well, I ask you to compliment it with a pedestrian crossing on the far side. I thank the council for liaising together to deliver a project we can be proud of," Cllr Aird said.
Cllr Thomasina Connell seconded and said where she lives in Esker Hills, people walk through the junction to get to Dunnes Stores.
"I support the installation of a pedestrian crossing," she said.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that last year she had called for the road safety audit, which subsequently recommended a range of measures including footpaths and a pedestrian crossing.
"It was always lethal. I'd love to see that walkway continue across the bridge to the back of O'Moore Place," she said.