'Busiest road in Laois' gets traffic congestion plan

Independent Laois County Councillor James Kelly has requested that Laois County Council implement a traffic congestion plan at a junction in Mountrath.

Cllr Kelly has requested 'as a matter of urgency' that a plan be put in place for the Portlaoise Road R445/Ballyfin Road R423/Rushin Road R440 Junction Mountrath.

The councillor has called as the current system in place 'unfit for purpose', on 'one of the busiest roads in our County'.

"This is one of the busiest road in Laois, with the junction to the Portlaoise road and the Rushin road," Cllr Kelly said.

"A recent survey was done of the vehicles passing through this road, and there are 6,500 vehicles passing through Mountrath  every single day, with people bypassing the toll," he said.

Pictured: Portlaoise Road R445/Ballyfin Road R423/Rushin Road R440 Junction Mountrath.

"Mountrath is one of the busiest towns, these roads are feeding six national schools. We have had about four different people from the contractors to check congestion, as have the county council staff," Cllr Kelly said.

"It is causing severe traffic jams goin the whole way back up the Ballyfin road, and up the Rushin road to the mart. People going to school and work in the mornings are held up. I hope that we can get someone out to this road as soon as possible," Cllr Kelly finished.

Mr. Paul McLoughlin, Acting Director of Services for Laois County Council accepted Cllr Kelly's proposal.

"The road design section of Laois County Council will undertake a review of the sequence and duration of the traffic signals at this junction. The review will take consideration of the observed delay times & que lengths on the respective arms," he said.

"Recommendations for alterations and amendments will be made as required to improve efficiency and capacity to best meet," Mr McLoughlin finished.

This matter was raised at the November sitting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District of Laois County Council.