Quarry operator to fund passing bays on 'dangerous' Laois road
Roadstone has agreed to fund the construction of passing bays on roads near its quarry in Ballyadams, a recent meeting was told.
Councillor Aisling Moran and Cllr Padraig Fleming had each tabled motions on the matter at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.
Cllr Moran asked “that this Council approach Roadstone again in relation to the passing bays an improvement works in the vicinity near the quarry in Ballyadams.”
Councillor Fleming asked: “That Laois County Council give an update on the recent meeting in the Graiguecullen Office with the management team of Roadstone Quarry, Ballyadams as a result of recent issues raised regarding road safety for all.”
Senior Executive Engineers Philip McVeigh explained that the company had agreed to fund road works in the area.
“Laois County Council met with the management of the Roadstone Quarry in January to discuss the ongoing management of quarry traffic to and from the Ballyadams quarry site. Following the meeting, Roadstone agreed to fund the provision of a number of passing bays on the roads in the immediate vicinity of the quarry. Laois County Council will arrange to have these road improvement works carried out as part of the 2023 Roads Programme,” he said.
Cllr Moran asked that the money be used only for the purpose intended.
“This money that they are going to give towards passing bays, that’s not to be put into the roads budget and just swallowed up,” she said.
“We are to get our allocation for roads and that’s extra on top of it. Will that happen because a lot of time the money comes into Portlaoise and is never got out, a black hole,” said Cllr Moran.
Director of Services Gerry Murphy said the money was going to the bank account of Laois County Council and would be allocated specifically for the passing bays.
Cllr Moran explained that a meeting had taken place with Roadstone, who she said would be seeking planning permission again very soon.
She described the meeting as very productive and argued that if they are going to get planning permission again they need to ensure people in the locality are happy.
“At the moment they are not in relation to the amount of traffic on the road and everything else,” said Cllr Moran.
She suggested the company buy or rent a piece of land in order to build a road directly from the quarry to the main road.
“They did say it is something they would consider,” she remarked.
“Something needs to be done, the roads are not suitable. A child can’t go for a walk. An adult can’t go for a walk, it is too dangerous so it is very important that this is done and I think we need to put pressure on them for an answer on the road,” said Cllr Moran.
Cllr Padraig Fleming described the meeting, which took place last month, as very positive and constructive. He said Roadstone are planning to apply for planning permission in the next year or two and they were listening to the concerns expressed at the meeting.
He claimed the level of compliance by most lorry drivers is good due to the level of complaints in recent times. He said the speed has also reduced.
“They have had health and safety meetings to encourage but they will always have some drivers who will not go as slow as they should based on the size and the scale of the road,” said Cllr Fleming.
“Let’s wait and see now over the summer with the laybys,” he remarked.
Cllr Aidan Mullins told his colleagues that he previously had a motion down in relation to a road near the quarry. He had asked for a speed survey in the area.
Cllr Mullins wanted to know when the meeting took place and told members that he would have liked an invitation.
“I am disappointed I wasn’t informed about that meeting,” he said.
Cllr Ben Brennan also expressed disappointment at being left out of the meeting.
“Every councillor should have been notified about that meeting,” said Cllr Brennan.
Cllr Moran said she had requested the meeting a year earlier.
“That would be my fault because I had been pushing for that meeting for a long time. Well over a year,” she explained.