'Unique' Laois road downgraded but traffic has not downsized

A downgraded regional road in Laois that needs urgent repair is as busy as ever a local councillor has claimed.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, called for action from Laois County Council in a motion tabled at a recent meeting.

He asked the local authority to carry out “urgently needed road repairs” on the L-1514 road at Doon, Borris-in-Ossory between the railway bridge and the M7 Motorway Bridge.

Cllr Bergin said residents had raised the problem with him.

“It’s unique because this was a regional road between Borris-in-Ossory and Rathdowney that was downgraded when the motorway was built,” he said.

However, he added that the change of status has not seen a fall in the number of vehicles.

“The volume of traffic has not decreased,” he said.

He said a particular stretch of the narrow road is “very bumpy” and local residents want it fixed. He added that it is also popular with walkers.

Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, said repairs to the pavement would be undertaken by maintenance crews though he added it was not on the road upgrade program for 2023.

The matter was raised at the April Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting.