Traffic 'flying' at twice the speed limit into Laois village claims councillor
Traffic is said to be "flying" at twice the speed limit into the centre of a Laois village, with doubts expressed over the effectiveness of speed detector signs.
People are said to be taking videos of speeding traffic showing it to be driving at up to 100km/h into Ballyroan village, where the speed limit is half that, at 50km/h.
Cllr Barry Walsh is calling for Laois County Council to do a road safety impact assessment.
"Since I started as a councillor, by far the biggest thing people talk about in the Ballyroan area is the speed of traffic. I regularly get videos showing cars doing 80, 90 or 100km/h. I'm not sure if speed readers are any good or not.
"Traffic especially coming down the Portlaoise road is flying. There are kids crossing the road aftrer school. Something needs to be done bigtime," he said.
He has tabled a motion making his request to the December meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly who seconded it, agrees on the lack of impact of the signs that tell drivers their speed.
"It seems to be a problem all over. They ignore the radar signs. I see it on the Sweetview Road in Abbeyleix. Traffic goes at 80 or 90km/h over the bridge on the Ballinakill road. I support what you are doing to try and slow down traffic," he said.
Cllr Wille Aird said that the signs do prove to drivers that they are breaking the law.
"Children could be crossing that road. It is outrageous. They have no conscience. Laois County Council needs to put in a speedramp, to change driver behaviour," he said.
In answer to the motion, Laois County Council has agreed to do a Road Safety Impact Assessment, on the R425 Main Street in Ballyroan, from the entrance to the Cross of Newtown, to the soccer pitch on the Portlaoise Road. It will also cover the L-2715 Bog Road from the junction with Main Street to the 50kph sign limit.