No easy fix to traffic jams in Laois Offaly town centere

Efforts will be made to devise a solution to traffic jams In Portarlington through a Laois Offaly plan for the town, according to Laois County Council.

The course of action was outlined by to Cllr Aidan Mullins, Sinn Féin, who raised the issue at a recent meeting in County Hall.

He tabled a motion calling on the local authority to see what measures can be taken to alleviate congestion to minimise traffic delays on Spa Street which is also the route out of town to Edenderry. Cllr Mullins accepted that a solution will not be found easily as the street intersects with Market Square.

“It is not an easy one to deal with. There is no easy solution here. There is talk about making it one way but making Spa St one way could create problems elsewhere,” he said.

Diarmuid Donohue, Active Travel officer, replied in writing for the council. He said work is underway with Offaly County Council to identify solutions.

“In advance of the preparation of the new Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan (LAP), the Roads Department has engaged consultants to prepare a Local Transport Plan for the town. Traffic issues on Spa Street will be considered as part of the plan and objectives will be identified which will seek to improve traffic congestion in the area. The final transport plan will support the preparation of the LAP with key transport objectives highlighted,” he said.

Cllr Mullins said he looked forward to the proposals made but said funding is also important.

Cllr PJ Kelly, Fine Gael, agreed with his colleague saying problems have worsened due to work on the Market House.

He was concerned about the possible impact on traffic from changes to the Square in Portarlington as part of the planned overhaul.
The issue was raised at the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting held in Portlaoise recently.