Portlaoise roundabout signs blocking driver vision claims councillor

Road signs fixed to the many Portlaoise roundabouts are blocking vision, a local councillor says.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald fears that a child or a scooter user at a pedestrian crossing may not be seen by drivers, resulting in a collision injury.

"There was a sign out the main door of county hall here and it too 15 years to get it lifted. There's new ones all on the ground in the middle of pedestrian crossings.

"If you are using a scooter or are a child you can't see. This has to be addressed immediately, and get these signs lifted up high. there is not a hope if a scooter or a child is behind these signs.

"I find it incredible that the TII is behind this, with all their safety audits," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

A roundabout on the Southern Circular route Portlaoise with signs on the pedestrian crossing island. Photo: Google Maps

She tabled a motion to the February meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking "that this council insist on a policy of no road signs on the ground at juntions/roundabouts".

Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion.

"The issue is the signs are restricting the views of drivers. At Fairways they had to move it out further to get a view. An audit is needed to see how many need to be moved," she said.

Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton is the manager for Portlaoise Municipal District.

He said that the signs are installed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), not the council.

Senior engineer Paul McLoughlin meanwhile has agreed to meet and view any roundabouts with the signs. 

"The Department of Transport's Traffic Signs Manual sets out the requirements for the design, placing and mounting heights of various types of road signage across the road network. As safety is of paramount importance when choosing sign positions and mounting heights a member of staff from the Roads and Transportation Section will meet Councillor Fitzgerald on site to assess the areas of concern and thereafter take action as necessary".